1 2026:CGHC:25425 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 904 of 2026 1 - Shriram Singh Thakur S/o Late Baldau Singh Thakur Aged About 59 Years Occupation Clerk Cum Incharge Paddy Purchase, Seva Sahakari Samiti Maryadit, Village Nirjam, Regd. No. 1084, R/o Padav Chowk Mungeli, P.S. Tahsil And Distt. Mungeli, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Ramswaroop Sahu S/o Late Udasiram Sahu Aged About 42 Years Occupation Data Entry Operator At Paddy Purchase, Seva Sahakari Samiti Maryadit, Village Nirjam, Regd. No. 1084, R/o Village Lalakapa, Police Station, Tahsil And Distt. Mungeli, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicants versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. City Kotwali Mungeli, Distt. Mungeli, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent For Applicants : Shri Ratnesh Kumar Agrawal, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Shri Saumya Rai, Dy.G.A. Hon'ble Shri 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 have been filed by the applicants, GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.06.23 11:10:52 +0530 2 who are apprehending their arrest in connection with Crime No.37/2026 registered at Police Station – City Kotwali Mungeli, District Mungeli (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 318(4) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that applicant no. 1 was working as incharge of paddy purchase and applicant no. 2 was working as data entry operator at paddy procurement center Seva Sahakari Samiti Maryadit Nirajam District Mungeli (C.G.) during kharif marketing year 2025-2026. Concern authority made inspection at Paddy Procurement Center of the applicant and prepared the enquiry report on 13.01.2026 wherein reported that the paddy dispatched not only through authorized GPS enabled vehicles but also through vehicles not fitted with GPS devices and also transported through unauthorized vehicle and by overloading vehicles beyond the permissible limits by transporters with conspiracy of applicants. 3. Learned counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the entire stock of paddy was handed over to the miller on or before 21.05.2026 and, therefore, the ingredients of the alleged offences are not made out. It is also contended that the applicants are not responsible for transportation of paddy through vehicles without GPS or for overloading of the stock. He further submits that the case of the applicants is similar to MCRCA No. 731/2026 (Sandeep Kumar Dubey Vs. State of Chhattisgarh), decided on 12.05.2026, wherein anticipatory bail was granted. He would further submit that applicants have preferred WPCR No.298/2026 for 3 quashment of the FIR which was rejected by this Court, hence they have come up before this court for grant of anticipatory bail. It is lastly submitted that the applicants are permanent residents of District Mungeli, have no likelihood of absconding, and are ready to abide by any conditions imposed by this Court, therefore he prays to enlarge the applicants on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submission of learned counsel for the parties, materials available on record, considering the nature of allegation levelled against the applicants and also considering the fact that investigation and trial are likely to take some time, without commenting anything on the merits of the case, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicants. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicants – Shriram Singh Thakur & Ramswaroop Sahu, on each of them executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, they shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) The applicants 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. 4 (b) The applicants shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The applicants shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to them by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d) The applicants and the surety shall submit a copy of their 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) The applicants shall not involve themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice gouri