1 2026:CGHC:25471 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 773 of 2026 Vedprakash S/o Badrika Sao Aged About 27 Years Resident of Village Kurmapali, Police Station Kotararoad, Tahsil And District Raigarh (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through - The Station House Officer, Police of Police Station Kotararoad, District Raigarh (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Jitendra Shukla, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Monika Thakur, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 22.06.2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 119/2026 registered at Police Station – Kotararoad, District – Raigarh (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Section 296, 351(3), 115(2), 331(2) and 74 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. As per the prosecution story, in brief, on 13.04.2026, the complainant made a complaint at Police Station Kotararoad stating therein that, on 13.04.2026 at about 7:00 p.m., a meeting was convened by the applicant, who is the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Kurmapali. In the said ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.06.23 10:37:28 +0530 2 meeting, the Sarpanch, Panchayat members and other villagers were present to discuss disputes among the villagers. It is further alleged that at about 9:15 p.m., one of the accused persons, namely Prakash Sahu, entered the house of the complainant, abused him in filthy language, pulled his hair and also threatened to kill him. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He argues that the applicant has neither committed nor participated in any act which may constitute any of the offences mentioned above. He submits that apart from the above, the evidence collected by the prosecution also does not disclose a prima facie case sufficient to hold the applicant guilty of the aforesaid offences. Even if the prosecution case is accepted in its entirety, the allegations are specifically against one of the accused persons, namely Prakash Sahu, and no role whatsoever has been attributed to the present applicant. The applicant has been implicated in the present crime only due to political pressure exerted by certain influential persons. He also submits that enmity exists between the two groups, and the complainant party had also assaulted the applicant and his companions. However, the complainant belongs to the ruling party and her husband is posted as a Constable, therefore, the present FIR has been registered against the applicant. The father of the applicant had also made a complaint before Police Station Kotararoad, but no action has been taken by the police against the complainant’s group. He also submits that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents except the present, therefore, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the bail application of the present applicant. 3 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the fact that no specific overt act has been attributed to the present applicant and that the allegations are primarily directed against the co-accused, namely Prakash Sahu, and further considering that the applicant has no criminal antecedents, this Court, without further expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Vedprakash, on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d) the applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of his adhaar card along with a coloured postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Abhishek