1 CGHC010223262026 2026:CGHC:30227 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 870 of 2026 1 - Anmol Singh S/o Late Sumer Singh Aged About 30 Years R/o Village Lachhanpur Police Station Baradwar District Sakti C.G. … Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through- The Station House Officer Police Station Baradwar District Sakti C.G. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Amit Singh Chauhan, Advocate For Respondent(s)/ State : Mr. Sumit Singh, Dy. A.G. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 16.07.2026 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.144/2026 registered at Police Station – Baradwar, District – RUCHI YADAV Digitally signed by RUCHI YADAV 2 Sakti (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 316(5) and 61(2) of BNS, 2023. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on the basis of a report lodged by the complainant, Ravidhar Diwan, Branch Manager, District Cooperative Central Bank Ltd., Bilaspur, it was alleged that during the physical inspection of the Paddy Procurement Centre, Kadari, conducted by the Inquiry Team constituted by the Deputy Commissioner, Cooperative and Deputy Registrar, a shortage of 1,902.20 quintals of paddy and 2,679 empty gunny bags was detected for the procurement year 2025–26, resulting in an alleged financial loss of ₹59,75,234/-. It is further alleged that, at the relevant time, the present applicant was posted as the Samiti In-charge, while co-accused Kush Singh Kshatri was posted as the Computer Operator at the said procurement centre. On the basis of the inquiry report and the material collected during the investigation, Crime was registered against the applicant and the co-accused for the offences punishable under Sections 316(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 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 has no criminal antecedents and was merely working as a Clerk on daily wages in the concerned Society. It is further submitted that the alleged shortage of paddy occurred due to the failure of the authorities to lift the procured paddy for custom milling despite repeated requests made by the 3 applicant, and the applicant had no authority either to remove or dispose of the paddy. Learned counsel further submits that the dispute is essentially civil in nature and does not attract the ingredients of the alleged offences. It is also contended that the co-accused, Kush Singh Kshatriya, has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 09.07.2026 passed in MCRCA No. 856 of 2026, and, therefore, the present applicant is entitled to the benefit of parity. Accordingly, it is prayed that the applicant be granted anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel vehemently opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail and submits that the offences registered against the applicant are serious and therefore, it is submitted that the anticipatory bail application of the applicant deserves to be rejected. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary as well as the material available on record. 7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedents, was working as a Clerk on daily wages in the concerned Society, the co-accused, Kush Singh Kshatriya, has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 09.07.2026 passed in MCRCA No. 856 of 2026, and the present applicant claims parity with the said co-accused, this Court is of the opinion that 4 the applicant has made out a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the present application deserves to be and is hereby allowed. 8. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant –Anmol Singh 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 her 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 her by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d)The Applicant and the surety shall submit a copyof their adhaar card alongwith a colored 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 Ruchi