1 2026:CGHC:26067 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3011 of 2026 Pankaj Dewangan S/o Parmeshwar Dewangan Aged About 24 Years R/o Village- Bahatarai Ps- Sarkanda District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Ps- Sarkanda, Dist- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Shri Chittranjay Singh Patel, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Ms. Laxmeen Kashyap, Panel Lawyer. (HON’BLE SHRI JUSTICE RADHAKISHAN AGRAWAL) Order on Board 25/06/2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, the BNSS) for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 1555/2025 registered at Police Station – Sarkanda, District Bilaspur (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 64 (2)(³), 65 (1), 296, 351(3) of BNS and Sections 3/4(2) and 5(B)/6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (for short, the POCSO Act). 2. As per the prosecution’s case, between the period from 15.11.2024 to 05.11.2025, the applicant is alleged to have committed penetrative sexual assault on the victim, who is minor at the time of the incident Digitally signed by ALLENA ANJANI KUMAR Date: 2026.06.25 16:18:00 +0530 2 and thereby committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault. Knowing this fact, the parents of the victim lodged a report. Based on this, offence under the above sections has been registered against the present applicant. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has not committed any offence. He further submits that victim and her mother have been examined as P.W.1 and P.W.2 before the trial Court and they have not supported the prosecution case. He further submits that victim has clearly stated that the accused/applicant has not committed any offence with her and thereby turned hostile. He further submits that the applicant is in jail since 09.11.2025. He next submits that the completion of trial may take some time. Therefore, he prays for the grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application. 5. The victim and her mother appeared in Court and has raised no objection with regard to grant of bail to the applicant. 6. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 7. Taking into consideration the entire facts and circumstances of the case, particularly, victim and her mother have not supported the prosecution case and further taking into consideration the statement of the victim that the applicant has not committed any offence and considering the fact that the applicant is in jail since 09.11.2025 and the trial is likely to take considerable time, therefore, without further commenting anything on merits of the case, I am inclined to allow the 3 instant application. 8. Accordingly, the application is allowed and it is directed that the applicant shall be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 20,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the trial Court. The applicant is directed to appear before the trial Court on each and every date to be given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. It is made clear that any observation made by this Court in this order shall not affect the trial of the case. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Radhakishan Agrawal) JUDGE Anjani