1 CGHC010227042026 2026:CGHC:27799 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 933 of 2026 Raju Janbandhu S/o Bheemrao Janbandhu Aged About 48 Years R/o Bheemnagar Ward No. 09, Dongargarh Thana And Tehsil Dongargarh District Rajnandgaon (C.G.) . Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through - SHO Thana Bagnadi District - Rajnandgaon (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Sumit Singh, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Sourabh Sahu, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 06.07.2026 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. 16/2026 registered at Police Station – Bagnadi, District – Rajnandgaon (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 4, 6, 10 of Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 2004, Section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 25.05.2026, while the police were on village patrolling duty, they received information from an informer ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.07.07 14:57:39 +0530 2 that some persons were transporting cattle in a pickup vehicle bearing Registration No. MH-37/T-3903 for the purpose of taking them to a slaughterhouse. Acting upon the said information, the police conducted a raid, during which a total of five cattle were found in the possession of the co-accused. It is alleged that the cattle were being transported to a slaughterhouse. Accordingly, an offence was registered against the accused persons. It is further alleged that the cattle were being transported at the direction of one Raju Pathan. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He contends that the applicant has been made an accused solely on the basis of the memorandum statement of a co-accused. However, the name mentioned in the co-accused's memorandum is "Raju Pathan," whereas the present applicant's name is "Raju Janbandhu." He further submits that the applicant has no criminal antecedents except the present case. Therefore, he prays for the grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 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 and circumstances of the case, the submissions advanced by the learned counsel for the parties, and the material available in the case diary, it appears that the present applicant has been implicated primarily on the basis of the memorandum statement of a co- accused. Further, the applicant has no criminal antecedents. In view of the aforesaid circumstances, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 3 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Raju Janbandhu, 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/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Abhishek