1 CGHC010237012026 2026:CGHC:29199 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5572 of 2026 1 - Lakshmikant Mahanand S/o Rajkumar Mahanand Aged About 18 Years Resident of Near Police Line Tower Officer Mess Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through- Station House Officer, Police Station - City Kotwali, District - Raipur (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Goutam Khetrapal, Advocate For Respondent(s)/State : Mr. Nitansh Jaiswal, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 10.07.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime RUCHI YADAV Digitally signed by RUCHI YADAV 2 No.128/2026 registered at Police Station- City Kotwali, District- Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 109 (1), 115(2), 296, 351(2), 3(5) of BNS. 2. Prosecution case, in brief, is that on 15.03.2026 at about 9:00 p.m., while the complainant/applicant, Shravan Tandi, along with Abhishek Soni and Sameer Baghel, was sitting near Dhanraj Kirana Shop, Gandhi Nagar, Raipur, the accused persons, namely Vikram Baghel, Abhishek Gupta, Abhishek Baghel @ Jadu, Mohit Nihal and their associates, allegedly arrived at the spot, abused them in filthy language, threatened them with dire consequences, and assaulted them. It is alleged that Vikram Baghel, Abhishek Gupta and Abhishek Baghel @ Jadu, after being armed with knives allegedly supplied by Mohit Nihal, inflicted knife injuries upon Abhishek Soni and Sameer Baghel with an intention to cause their death. It is further alleged that when Guddi Baghel intervened, she too sustained a knife injury on her right hand, while the complainant was also assaulted with fists and kicks. On the basis of the report lodged by the complainant, Crime No. 128/2026 was registered at Police Station City Kotwali, Raipur, against the accused persons. 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, as per the prosecution case, the knife injuries were allegedly inflicted by the co-accused persons whereas no specific overt act has been attributed to the present applicant. It is 3 further submitted that the applicant was not named in the First Information Report and has been implicated solely on the basis of the statement of the complainant, Shravan Tandi, recorded under Section 180 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. It is also submitted that the applicant has no criminal antecedents and has been in judicial custody since 16.03.2026. As the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, it is prayed that the applicant be enlarged on bail. 4. Per contra, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that charge-sheet has been filed in the case and there is sufficient material available on record to connect the applicant with the commission of the alleged offence. Therefore, it is prayed that the bail application be dismissed. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the fact that the applicant was not named in the First Information Report, that the knife injuries are alleged to have been inflicted by the co-accused persons and no specific overt act of causing any injury has been attributed to the present applicant, coupled with the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedents, has remained in judicial custody since 16.03.2026, the charge-sheet has already been filed and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, this Court is of the opinion that it is a fit case to extend the benefit of bail to the applicant. Accordingly, 4 without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the application deserves to be and is hereby allowed. 7. Let the Applicant – Lakshmikant Mahanand involved in Crime No.- 128/2026 registered at Police Station- City Kotwali, District- Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 109 (1), 115(2), 296, 351(2), 3(5) of BNS, be released on bail on furnishing 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 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 his 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 5 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. However, this Court hopes and trusts that the trial Court shall make an earnest endeavour to conclude the trial expeditiously from the receipt of this order in accordance with law, if there is no legal impediment. 9. 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 Ruchi