1 2026:CGHC:27434 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1012 of 2026 Nishikant Patel S/o Omkar Prasad Patel Aged About 34 Years R/o Village Bhathali, Post Office And Tehsil Nawagarh, District Janjgir Champa (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through - The Station House Office, Police Station - Nawagarh, District Janjgir Champa (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Paras Mani Shriwas, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Jitendra Shrivastava, Government Advocate. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 03.07.2026 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. 141/2026 registered at Police Station – Nawagarh, District – Janjgir - Champa (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 316(5), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. As per the prosecution story in brief, during the procurement season 2025–26, the Paddy Procurement Sub-Centre, Kirit (Dhan Kharidi Up- Kendra, Kirit), purchased paddy from the farmers. During the course of inspection, a shortage of 926.68 quintals of paddy and 5,525 bardanas ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.07.03 17:27:44 +0530 2 (1,535 new and 3,990 old) was allegedly found. It is further alleged that the Government suffered a loss of Rs. 31,21,551/-. On the basis of the complaint lodged by the complainant, an offence under Sections 316(5), 61(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has been registered against the present applicant, who was serving as the Purchasing In-Charge of the Paddy Procurement Sub-Centre, Kirit, along with two other accused persons, namely Omkar Prasad Patel, Manager of Co-operative Society, Tulasi, and Deepak Kumar Kashyap, a Hamaal. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He submits that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents. He further submits that the other co-accused persons, namely, Deepak Kumar Kashyap and Omkar Prasad Patel have already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 890 of 2026 and MCRCA No. 917 of 2026 vide orders dated 18.06.2026 and 22.06.2026 respectively. Therefore, he submits that the present applicant is also entitled to be released on anticipatory bail on the ground of parity. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State opposes the bail application of the present applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case and the fact the fact that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents, moreover, the fact that the other co-accused persons, namely, Deepak Kumar Kashyap and Omkar Prasad Patel have already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 890 of 2026 and MCRCA No. 917 of 2026 vide orders dated 18.06.2026 and 22.06.2026 respectively, therefore, I am 3 inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant on the ground of parity. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Nishikant Patel, on executing a personal bond and one 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/ Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Abhishek