1 CGHC010269412026 2026:CGHC:30632 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6385 of 2026 Devashish Mandal S/o Nirod Mandal Aged About 36 Years R/o Darapara Bijapur, Police Station Bijapur, District- Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. --- Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station – Bijapur, District – Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. ---- Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Sabyasachi Bhaduri, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Shailendra Sharma, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 20.07.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 35/2026, registered at Police Station – Bijapur, District – Bijapur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the BNS. 2. The case of the prosecution, is that Raju Pujari, the head teacher of Palanar Manjharpara, had gone from his house on his motorcycle to the fields on the morning of 22/04/2026 at about 08:00 am and when he did not return home, his family members went searching for him nearby. Then at about 10:00 am they saw that Raju Pujari was hanging from the branch of a Shivna tree in front of Cherpal Bada Talab, with a plastic rope around his neck. He was brought down with RAJSHEKHAR SONI Digitally signed by RAJSHEKHAR SONI 2 the help of the villagers, but he was dead. Thereafter, the body of the deceased was brought to the District Hospital, Bijapur. During investigation, it was found that the deceased Principal Raju Pujari committed suicide due to continuous pressure and harassment by contractor Devashish, Sub-Engineer Shailesh Vasam, and Assistant Project Coordinator, Samagra Shiksha, Bijapur, Chhavitesh Dongre, who allegedly compelled him to sign incorrect documents for payment of construction bills. In his suicide note, the deceased held the aforesaid persons responsible for his death. Consequently, on the report of the deceased's nephew, Uday Pujari, Police Station Bijapur registered Crime No. 35/2026 under Section 108 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and after completion of investigation, filed the charge-sheet. Hence, this application. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. It is further submitted that the co-accused persons have already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 10.07.2026 passed in MCRCA No.805/2026. The applicant is in jail since 25.04.2026 and trial is likely to take quite long time for its conclusion, therefore, on the ground of parity he may be granted bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application of the applicant, but could not dispute the fact that co-accused person has already been granted bail by this Court and the case of the present applicant is identical to that of the co-accused. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents available on record. 3 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, and the fact that the co-accused persons have already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 10.07.2026 passed in MCRCA No.805/2026, and the applicant is in jail since 25.04.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, I am inclined to allow this application, on the ground of parity. 7. Let applicant – Devashish Mandal, involved in Crime No. 35/2026, registered at Police Station – Bijapur, District – Bijapur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the BNS, 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 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 4 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 Rajshekhar