1 CGHC010194172026 2026:CGHC:30783 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 4810 of 2026 1 - Suraj Bharti S/o Ganpat Bharti Aged About 32 Years R/o Village Arjuni, P S Akaltara, District Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. City Kotwali Balodabazar, District Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant : Mr. Anchal Kumar Matre, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Praveen Das, Additional Advocate General Hon'ble Shri Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas Order on Board 20.07.2026 1. Heard. 2. This is the First Bail Application of applicant filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail. He is in jail since 30.01.2026 in connection with Crime No. 379/2024 registered at Police Station City Kotwali, Balodabazar District : - Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 294, 332, 333, 353, 435, 436, 427, 2 307, 506, 395, 397, 120(B) of IPC, 3 & 4 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 and Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971. 3. The prosecution story, in brief, is that on 10.06.2024, the complainant, Kanhaiyalal Pawar, lodged a report at Police Station City Kotwali, Baloda Bazar alleging that on the said date, at about 10:00 a.m., when he reached the District Office, Baloda Bazar, in the ordinary course of his official duties, he noticed that extensive barricading had been erected outside and around the District Office. Upon making enquiries, he came to know that the barricading had been put in place in view of a memorandum proposed to be submitted by members of the Satnami community. The Executive Magistrates and police personnel were deployed at various locations to maintain law and order. It is further alleged that between 3:15 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the same day, a large unruly mob, armed with lathis, sticks and stones, suddenly resorted to heavy stone-pelting and vandalised the vehicles parked outside the Collectorate premises. Within a short span of time, a large number of miscreants assembled in and around the Collectorate premises. Despite continuous efforts made by the Executive Magistrates and police personnel to restrain and pacify the mob, the assailants allegedly engaged in scuffles with the police and, with the knowledge that a large number of government employees and members of the public were present inside the Collectorate building, deliberately set fire to the building and the vehicles parked in the premises with the intention of causing extensive damage, resulting in the Collectorate premises being engulfed in flames. It has been 3 further contended that when the police personnel attempted to apprehend the unruly and uncontrollable members of the mob, they were assaulted. Nevertheless, some of the miscreants were apprehended by the police and shifted to a place of safety. It is further alleged that had the employees working in the Collectorate not evacuated the building in time, the incident would have inevitably resulted in substantial loss of human life. Owing to the acts of vandalism and arson committed by the miscreants, the Collectorate building as well as several government and private vehicles parked within the premises sustained extensive damage, resulting in the destruction of government and private property worth several crores of rupees. On the basis of the aforesaid report, a criminal case was registered and taken up for investigation. During the course of investigation, sufficient material was collected disclosing the commission of offences punishable under Sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 332, 353, 307, 435, 436, 120-B, 294, 506, 427, 395 and 397 of the Indian Penal Code, Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, and Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. During further investigation, the involvement of additional accused persons also came to light. Upon collection of further evidence, supplementary investigation was carried out and the charge-sheet was accordingly filed before the competent Court. During the course of investigation, efforts were made to trace the absconding accused persons. In the course of such search, the applicant Suraj Bharti and co-accused Amit Baghel and Ajay Yadav were produced by the Special Police Team. Thereafter, accused Suraj Bharti was 4 subjected to an identification proceeding, and an identification memorandum (Identification Panchanama) was duly prepared. Accordingly, accused Suraj Bharti was arrested on 30.01.2026. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the present case merely on the allegation of his presence at the place of occurrence. It is contended that he does not belong to any political party, there is no direct or cogent evidence to establish his involvement in the alleged acts of arson, assault, vandalism, or damage to public property. He would further submit that the applicant is in jail since 30.01.2026, the investigation has already been concluded and the charge-sheet has been filed, and therefore, no further custodial interrogation of the applicant is required. Since the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, it is prayed that the applicant be enlarged on bail. 5. Per contra, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application and would submit that the applicant is involved in a grave and serious offence arising out of a pre-planned and organized attack on the Collectorate and the Office of the Superintendent of Police, Baloda Bazar. It is submitted that the unruly mob, of which the applicant was an active participant, indulged in rioting, assaulted police personnel and public servants on duty, vandalized government property, set fire to government offices and official vehicles, and thereby caused extensive loss to public property while creating an atmosphere of fear and panic. Learned counsel would further submit that during the course of investigation, sufficient material has been collected to establish the 5 applicant's active participation in the commission of the offences. Therefore, he would pray for rejection of the bail application. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the diary. 7. Considering the fact that the applicant is in jail since 30.01.2026, charge-sheet has been filed and also considering the fact that conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, no fruitful purpose would be served in continued detention of the applicant, as such, without further commenting anything on merits of the case, I am of the view that this is a fit case to grant bail to the applicant. 8. Accordingly, the bail application filed under Section 483 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is allowed. It is directed that the applicant shall be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 25,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the concerned trial court on the following terms and condition:- (I) Since, the applicant belongs to District Janjgir-Champa, he shall enter the territorial limits of District Baloda Bazar only for the purpose of attending the proceedings before the Trial Court on the notified dates of the Court proceedings and shall leave the district immediately after the proceedings of the day. (ii) 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 such person from disclosing such facts to the Court or to the investigating agency. (iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence or attempt to influence the witnesses in any manner whatsoever. 6 (iv) The applicant shall not indulge in such activities which may disrupt peace and tranquility of the State. (v) In case of breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the State shall be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail in accordance with law. Certified copy as per rules. Sd/- (Narendra Kumar Vyas) Judge Deshmukh KISHORE KUMAR DESHMUKH Digitally signed by KISHORE KUMAR DESHMUKH Date: 2026.07.21 14:25:31 +0530