1 CGHC010258442026 2026:CGHC:29344 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR M.Cr.C(A) No.1060 of 2026 Anil Chandrakar S/o Shri Ishwar Chandrakar Aged About 40 Years Occupation Society Manager, Adim Jati Seva Sahakari Samiti Maryadit, Samanapur, Registration No.206 Branch Rengakhar Kalan, R/o Village And Post Mahli, P.S. Kunda, Tahsil Pandariya, Distt. Kabirdham, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Rengakhar, Distt. Kabirdham, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ritesh Verma, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Jitendra Shrivastava, G.A. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order On Board 13.07.2026 1. The Applicant has preferred this anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of Anticipatory Bail, apprehending his SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Digitally signed by SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Date: 2026.07.14 18:12:26 +0530 2 arrest in connection with Crime No.14/2026, registered at Police Station – Rengakhar, District Kabirdham (C.G.) for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 316(5), 318(4) and 3(5) of BNS. 2. As per the prosecution case, a written complaint was lodged regarding shortage of 2386.52 quintals of paddy and 8554 gunny bags at Paddy Procurement Centre, Bamhni. On the directions of the Collector, an inquiry was conducted by the concerned officials on 12.06.2026, during which relevant records such as purchase register, weighment sheets and online reports were examined. During verification, irregularities were found and it was alleged that the Applicant/accused, along with other officials, caused a wrongful loss of about Rs.77,26,005.01/- to the Government. Based on the said allegations, offences as mentioned in the 1st para have been registered against the present Applicant. Hence, this application. 3. Learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is contended that the Applicant, while discharging his duties as the concerned official, had repeatedly informed the competent authorities regarding excess stock and requested 3 for timely lifting of paddy. It is further submitted that the alleged shortage occurred due to non-lifting of paddy within the stipulated period and natural weight loss due to drying of paddy, for which the Applicant cannot be held responsible. He further submits that as per the agreement and procurement policy, the dispute regarding shortage is subject to recovery proceedings and arbitration and no material has been produced to show that the Applicant derived any personal benefit or dishonestly misappropriated any Government property and prays for grant of anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the application and submits that there are no previous criminal antecedents against the present Applicant. 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 allegations, the fact that the impugned FIR has been lodged against the Applicant and co- accused after a detailed enquiry conducted by a Committee constituted by the Collector, wherein shortage of paddy causing an alleged financial loss of about Rs.77 lacs to the Government, the fact that the Applicant was the Society 4 Manager and was responsible for the affairs of the concerned procurement centre, investigation is still going on and considering the requirement of custodial interrogation for a fair and effective investigation, this Court is not inclined to grant the benefit of anticipatory bail to the Applicant 7. Accordingly, the Anticipatory Bail application of the Applicant – Anil Chandrakar, filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 in connection with Crime No.14/2026, registered at Police Station – Rengakhar, District Kabirdham (C.G.) for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 316(5), 318(4) and 3(5) of BNS, is hereby rejected. 8. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Priya