1 2026:CGHC:25389 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 894 of 2026 1 - Rahul Shukla S/o - Late Shri R. B. Shukla, Aged About 37 Years Present Age Now 39 Years, R/o Sun City, Shubham Vihar, Uslapur Road, Bilaspur, District- Bilaspur, C.G. ... Applicant versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Nagari, District - Dhamtari, C.G. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant : Mr. Pawan Shrivastava, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Rohitashav Singh, Dy. Govt. Adv. For Victim/complainants : Mr. Aman Kesharwani, Advocate Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal Order on Board 22/06 / 2026 1. This is the 2nd Anticipatory Bail Application filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023, by the applicant apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 54/2020 registered at Police Station - Nagri, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) for commission of offence punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B, 34 of IPC. BHOLA NATH KHATAI Digitally signed by BHOLA NATH KHATAI Date: 2026.06.23 11:38:46 +0530 2 2. The first anticipatory bail application of the applicant was dismissed on merits by this Court on 25.09.2023 in MCRCA No. 733/2023. 3. The case of prosecution is that, on 22.10.2019, complainant Anil Kumar Sahu (Banpela) & Atish Kumar Verma lodged a report alleging therein that co-accused Dindayal Sahu along with other co-accused persons had taken Rs.71,66,500/- from 41 persons for providing government jobs in the forest department. During the course of investigation, the Police seized a forged appointment letter from one witness namely Dhaniram Patel. It is alleged that the complainant Anil Kumar Sahu/Banpela was also involved in the crime. Subsequently, the FIR was registered and after investigation, charge sheet was filed against Dindayal Sahu, Anil Kumar Sahu (Banpela), Ghanshyam Sahu & Dharmendra Sahu. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the present applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in crime in question. He submits that the charge sheet reveals no involvement of the present applicant. His name does not find mention in the complaint, the First Information Report (FIR), the charge sheet, the memorandum statements of the co-accused, or the statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). He submits that some of the witnesses rope the name of the applicant stating that the main accused told them that the applicant Rahul Shukla is a higher officer in the department of forest and he can provide job to them. While the applicant was merely employed as a clerk in the Forest Department, and only because of this, the application under Section 319 of CrPC 3 was allowed by the trial Court without considering the materials available on record. He submits that vide judgment dated 21.12.2023, the Trial Court acquitted co- accused Ghanshyam Sahu and Dharmendra Kumar Sahu, while convicted Anil Kumar Sahu (Banpela) under Sections 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He submits that the offences under Sections 420 and 120B of the IPC are compoundable in nature. In the present case, the victims—who are close friends and acquaintances of the applicant—have entered into an amicable settlement with the applicant outside the court and they have no grievance against the applicant. He submits that co-accused Atish Kumar Verma has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 942/2024 on 02.09.2024, therefore, the present applicant is also entitled for grant of anticipatory bail on the ground of parity. He further submits that the applicant actively undertakes to strictly abide by all terms, directions, and conditions that this Hon'ble Court may deem fit to impose while granting the relief of anticipatory bail. 5. Mr. Aman Kesharwani, Advocate for the complainants/victims has no objection and submits that an amicable settlement has been arrived at between the applicant and the victims/complainants outside the Court and affidavits in this regard have also been filed by victims/complainants Manoj Verma, Amit Sahu, Pragya Nand Sahu & Sashikant Patel. 6. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the application for anticipatory bail and submits that the present applicant along with other co-accused persons cheated 41 persons in the name of providing government jobs and obtained a huge amount of Rs. 71,66,500/- from 4 different persons. Therefore, the present applicant may not be enlarged on anticipatory bail. 7. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 8. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegations and material available on record and also taking note that the Trial Court has acquitted co-accused Ghanshyam Sahu and Dharmendra Kumar Sahu while convicted Anil Kumar Sahu (Banpela) under Sections 420 and 120B of IPC vide order dated 21.12.2023, co-accused Atish Kumar Verma has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 942/2024 on 02.09.2024, the victims/complainants have entered into an amicable settlement with the applicant outside the court and they have no grievance against the applicant, I am inclined to allow this anticipatory bail application. 9. Accordingly, the anticipatory bail application is allowed. 10. It is directed that in the event of arrest, the applicant shall be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/-with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Officer arresting him or the Court concerned, as the case may be, with the following terms and conditions: I. that the applicant shall make himself available for interrogation before the concerned investigating officer as and when required; II. that the accused/applicant 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/her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer; 5 III. that the accused/applicant shall not act, in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial; and IV. that the applicant shall appear before the Trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Judge Khatai