1 2026:CGHC:26629 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 960 of 2026 1 - Bihariram Dewangan S/o Late Alharam Dewangan Aged About 73 Years R/o Village Rengakathera Police Station Gunderdehi District- Balod (C.G.) 2 - Smt. Rajkumari Dewangan W/o Bihariram Dewangan Aged About 70 Years R/o Village Rengakathera Police Station Gunderdehi District- Balod (C.G.) 3 - Hitesh Dewangan S/o Bihariram Dewangan Aged About 44 Years Occupation Manger Nacoda Hector Pipe R/o Village Bartori Tahsil Tilda, District- Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Smt. Sneha Dewangan W/o Shri Hitesh Dewangan Aged About 39 Years R/o Village Tulsi Tahsil Tilda District- Raipur (C.G.) ... Applicant (s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Saja District- Bemetara (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicants : Mr. Ratnesh Kumar Agrawal, Advocate. For Non-Applicant : Miss Palak Dwivedi, PL. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 30/06/2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicants, who are apprehending their arrest in connection with KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Digitally signed by KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Date: 2026.07.01 16:11:10 +0530 2 Crime No.128/2026 registered at Police Station – Saja, District- Bemetara (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 85 read with Section 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (for short ‘BNS’). 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that the complainant, Smt. Hempushpa Dewangan, lodged a written complaint on 08.05.2026 alleging that after her marriage with Jitendra Kumar Dewangan on 11.12.2020, the applicants, along with her husband, subjected her to mental and physical cruelty, retained her ornaments, demanded dowry, and ultimately drove her out of the matrimonial home. Based on the complaint, the present crime was registered and investigation was initiated. 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 allegations levelled against the applicants are false, vague and omnibus in nature. It is further submitted that applicant No. 3 was on duty at his workplace on the alleged date, while applicant No. 4 was residing at her own house, and therefore the allegations of mental and physical cruelty against them are baseless, also the complaint does not disclose any specific date, time or overt act attributed to the applicants. He also submits that applicant Nos. 1 and 2 are senior citizens and are the parents-in- law of the complainant, whereas applicant Nos. 3 and 4 are her brother-in-law (Jeth) and sister-in-law (Jethani). It is argued that they have been falsely implicated due to their relationship with the husband and that the essential ingredients of the alleged offences are not made out against them, therefore the applicants be released 3 on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. She further submits that the applicants in collusion with other co-accused/husband subjected the victim to mental and physical cruelty, retained her ornaments, demanded dowry, and ultimately drove her out of the matrimonial home. Therefore, the applicants are not entitled for bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents taken on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and though the applicants allegedly in collusion with other co-accused/husband subjected the victim to mental and physical cruelty, retained her ornaments, demanded dowry, and ultimately drove her out of the matrimonial home, but considering the fact that they have no criminal antecedents, as such, this Court is inclined to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicants. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicants – Bihariram Dewangan, Smt. Rajkumari Dewangan, Hitesh Dewangan and Smt. Sneha Dewangan, on executing a personal bond with one surety each in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer, they shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) They should not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) They should not act in any manner which will be 4 prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) They should 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 sureties shall submit a copy of their adhaar card alongwith a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) They should not involve themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Barve