1 CGHC010217022026 2026:CGHC:28733 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 843 of 2026 Ramkumar Mandavi S/o Shri Satter Singh Mandavi Aged About 47 Years Posted As Prescribed Officer, Adim Jati Sewa Sahkari Samiti Kuhikala, Tahsil- Chhuriya, District Rajnandgaon, R/o Village- Keshokhairi, Thana- Gaindatola, Tahsil- Chhuriya, District- Rajnandgaon Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police Station- Gaindatola, District- Rajnandgaon Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Ravindra Sharma, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Shri Shaleen Singh Baghel, G.A. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 09/07/2026 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.29/2026 registered at Police Station – Gaindatola, District- Rajnandgaon Chhattisgarh for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 316(5), 3(5) of BNS 2023. GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.07.10 12:00:43 +0530 2 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 12.05.2026 complainant Doman Singh Cooperative Extension Officer, Chhuriya, lodged an FIR against the applicant and other at the Police Station Gaindatola, District Rajnandgaon alleging that during the financial year 2025-26, irregularities were found in the procurement and sale of paddy at Adim Jati Sewa Sahakari Samiti, Kuhikala, District Rajnandgaon. A joint inquiry committee conducted verification and found that the co-accused persons, namely Society in-charge Harnarayan Ramteke, computer operator Dhaneshwar Kanwar, and the present applicant Ramkumar Mandavi, who was working as the prescribed Officer, failed to dispatch 1755.38 quintals of paddy to the rice millers and also failed to safeguard the remaining 284.40 quintals of paddy stored in the society premises. It was alleged that out of the total 2039.86 quintals of paddy valued at approximately Rs. 63,23,566/-, the accused persons committed criminal breach of trust and cheating causing wrongful loss to the Government. On the basis of the report submitted by the office of the Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, and under the directions of the Collector, Rajnandgaon, FIR bearing Crime No. 29/2026 was registered at Police Station Gaindatola under Sections 318(4), 316(5), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is submitted that the alleged shortage of paddy occurred due to delayed lifting by the millers, as the paddy remained stored in the open for a long period, resulting in natural drying and loss of weight during the summer season. The applicant had no role in the procurement, storage, transportation or day-to-day management of the Society and was 3 appointed only as the Authorized Officer for its smooth functioning. It is further submitted that all the paddy and sacks were duly lifted by the millers and no stock remained with the Society. The authorities failed to consider the permissible moisture loss and natural shortage under the Government guidelines before lodging the FIR. He would submit that co-accused Dhaneshwar Kanwar has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No.885/2026 on 17/06/2026. He would submit that the applicant is ready to furnish adequate surety and shall abide by all the directions and conditions which may be imposed by this Court, applicant is a permanent resident of address mentioned in the cause title and there is no chance of his absconding, therefore he prays to enlarge the applicant on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail but do not dispute the fact that co-accused has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submission of learned counsel for the parties, materials available on record, considering the nature of allegation levelled against the applicant, further the fact that co-accused Dhaneshwar Kanwar has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No.885/2026 on 17/06/2026 and also considering the fact that investigation and trial are likely to take some time, without commenting anything on the merits of the case, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 4 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Ramkumar Mandavi, 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) The applicant 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) The applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The applicant 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) The applicant shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice gouri