1 CGHC010230212026 2026:CGHC:29150 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5539 of 2026 Vijay Kumar Gond S/o Shyam Singh Aged About 37 Years Caste Gond, R/o Village Nagoibhatha, Jemra, P. S. Pali, District Korba (C.G.) ... Applicant Versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through - P. S. - Forest Range Officer, Forest Department Pali, District Korba (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant : Mr. Vikas Kumar Pandey, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Monika Singh, P.L. HON'BLE SHRI RAMESH SINHA, CHIEF JUSTICE ORDER ON BOARD 10.07.2026 1. The Applicant has preferred this 1st Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he is arrested in connection with Crime No. 685/01 registered at Police Station – Forest Range Officer, Forest Department Pali, District: Korba (C.G.), SAURABH YADAV Digitally signed by SAURABH YADAV Date: 2026.07.13 11:26:22 +0530 2 for the offence under Sections 9 and 51 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. 2. That, the prosecution story, in brief, is that on 09/02/2026 at about 7 pm, Range Guard Lafa received information from an informant that a Leopard was entangled in wire near compartment No. P.134, Singh Dwar, thereafter the officer has taken action and informed the higher authority thereafter wild resource team from Kanan Pendari Bilaspur arrived at the scene. In the presence of division forest officer the rescue team safely rescued the leopard trapped in the wire by tranquilizing it with a tranquilizer thereafter forest officer has registered crime against unknown person and during investigation applicant has been arrested. Hence this application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent, he has been falsely implicated in the present case and is under incarceration since 10.02.2026. He submits that the applicant is having a house at Forest Area Lafa and the Forest Officer tried to remove the applicant from the forest area therefore, false report is lodged against the applicant. He further submits that charge-sheet has been filed, there is no criminal antecedents against the applicant and conclusion of trial is likely to take quite some time, 3 therefore, he may be granted bail. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application and submits that the charge sheet has been filed before the competent Court. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. Considering the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the allegations, and the fact that the applicant has been in jail since 10.02.2026, charge-sheet has been filed, trial will take considerable time to conclude, and without commenting on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered opinion that it is a fit case to allow the application. Accordingly, the application is allowed. 7. Let Applicant- Vijay Kumar Gond involved in Crime No. 685/01 registered at Police Station – Forest Range Officer, Forest Department Pali, District: Korba (C.G.), for the offence under Sections 9 and 51 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 be released on bail on his furnishing a 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 4 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 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 Saurabh