1 2026:CGHC:26371 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 959 of 2026 Kishori Lal Gupta S/o Late Dhani Ram Gupta Aged About 84 Years R/o 26/140, Kila Ward, Juna Bilaspur, Ps, Tahsil And District Bilaspur, C.G. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Ps Kotwali, Ambikapur, District Sarguja (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Ankur Diwan, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Vaishali Mahilong, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 29.06.2026 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. 694/1992 registered at Police Station – Kotwali, Ambikapur, District Sarguja (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 34, 120B of the IPC and Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the P.C. Act. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that the land acquisition case No. 46/3-82/86-87 related to Village Revapur, Ambikapur, District Sarguja, VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.06.30 11:09:00 +0530 2 culminated in an ward dated 30.09.1988. Persuant to that, compensation amount of Rs 12,840.55/- was awarded in favour of the land owner, Amarsay S/o Manraj & an account payee cheque for the said amount was issued in his favour through Post Office saving Bank, Ambikapur. It is alleged that after issuance of the cheque, the figure 12,840.55 was fraudulently altered by inserting the digit 5 before the original amount, thereby changing the cheque value to Rs 5,12,840.55/-. The complainant inspected the cheque amount and found apparent interpolation & overwriting indicating manipulation of the chequ amount. On the basis of these allegation, FIR was registered on the complaint lodged by the District Saving Officer, Ambikapur in PS Kotwali, Ambikapur, District Sarguja for offence u/s 467, 468, 471, 34, 120B IPC & later on section 13(1)(d), 13(2) of PC Act was also added in Crime No. 694/1992 & the applicant is apprehending its arrest with respect to Crime No. 694/1992 by thePolice of PS the District Saving Officer, Ambikapur in PS Kotwali, Ambikapur, District Sarguja for offence u/s 467, 468, 471, 34, 120B IPC section 13(1)(d), 13(2) of PC Act. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is contended that no material has been collected during the investigation connecting the applicant with the alleged offence, and no ingredient of the alleged offences is made out against him. It is further submitted that the applicant had no role whatsoever in the alleged interpolation of the cheque amount, nor did he issue the cheque or participate in its payment. The applicant is an 84-year-old retired Sub-Postmaster suffering from various age-related ailments, including hypertension, 3 diabetes, thyroid disorder and high cholesterol, is bedridden, has significant memory loss, and is incapable of travelling without assistance. It is further submitted that the offences alleged are not punishable with death or imprisonment for life, the investigation is still pending and the trial is likely to take considerable time to conclude. It is also argued that similarly situated co-accused has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court. The applicant is a permanent resident of the address mentioned in the cause title, has no criminal antecedents, there is no likelihood of his absconding or tampering with the prosecution evidence, and he is ready and willing to abide by all such terms and conditions as may be imposed by this Court while granting anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the anticipatory bail application of the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the dispute and the material available on record, and in view of the fact that the similarly situated co-accused namely Amir Ali has already been granted bail by this Hon’ble High Court MCRCA No. 874 of 2026 vide order dated 18.06.2026, this Court finds that the present applicant is entitled to the benefit of parity. Therefore, without making any further comment on the merits of the case, this Court deems it appropriate to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Kishori Lal Gupta, on executing a personal bond and one local 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 vaibhav