1 2026:CGHC:26670 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 4545 of 2026 Kartik Ram S/o - Late Bhikhuram Aged About 53 Years R/o Jhulnakala, Police Station - Pathariya, District - Mungeli (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer Police Station Pathariya Mungeli, District- Mungeli (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ratnesh Kumar Agrawal, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Soumya Rai, Dy. Govt. Advocate. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 30.06.2026 1. This is the First bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 87/2026 registered at Police Station – Pathariya, Mungeli, District – Mungeli (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 316(5), 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. As per the prosecution story, the applicant purchased 73,743.20 quintals of paddy during the Kharif Marketing Year 2025–2026 at the Paddy Procurement Centre, Dhardei, District Mungeli (C.G.). On 30.03.2026, when an inspection was conducted by the concerned officers at the said ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.07.01 11:24:11 +0530 2 paddy procurement centre, it was allegedly found that 2,156.08 quintals of paddy had been embezzled by the applicant along with the other co- accused. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the present applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the aforesaid case. He submits that the other co-accused person, namely Sandeep Kumar Dubey has already been granted anticipatory regular bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 731 of 2026 vide order dated 12.05.2026. He also submits that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents and he is in jail since 27.04.2026, conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand learned State counsel opposes the bail application of the present applicant and submits that the charge-sheet has already been submitted in the present case. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case that the other co-accused person, namely, Sandeep Kumar Dubey has already been granted anticipatory regular bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 731 of 2026 vide order dated 12.05.2026. Moreover, the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedents and the charge - sheet has already been submitted in the present case before the competent Court, the applicant has been in jail since 27.04.2026, conclusion of the trial may take some more time. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the present applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. 7. Let the Applicant – Kartik Ram, involved in Crime No. 87/2026 registered at Police Station – Pathariya, Mungeli, District – Mungeli (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 316(5), 3(5) of 3 the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, be released on bail on his furnishing personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed 4 against him in accordance with law. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Abhishek