1 CGHC010276622026 2026:CGHC:30687 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6478 of 2026 Jagdish Kumar Naurange S/o Late Bhonduram Naurange Aged About 56 Years (Wrongly Mentioned Montu Ram In The Covering Memo Of Impugned Order) Aged Bout 56 Years (Wrongly Mentioned As 29 Years In The Covering Memo Of Impugned Order ) R/o Village Pendravan, Police Station Dhamdha,tehsil Dhamdha, District Durg C.G. (Address Wrongly Mentined In Covering Memo Of Cause Title) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Dhamdha, District Durg C.G. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Ms. Aditi Singhvi, Advocate For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Anusha Naik, Deputy Govt. Advocate Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 20.07.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 136/2026 registered at Police Station Dhamdha, District Durg, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 316(5) and 318(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNS’). RAHUL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by RAHUL DEWANGAN 2 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that a complaint was lodged by the Branch Manager, Ghota District Central Cooperative Bank Limited, stating that on 29.05.2026, a joint inspection of Sewa Sahkari Samiti and Uparjan Kendra, Rounda, was conducted by a team comprising officials of the Food Department, Cooperative Department, and the District Cooperative Bank. During the inspection, a shortage of 560.28 quintals of paddy valued at Rs. 13,27,303/- and 2,103 jute sacks valued at Rs. 1,80,858/-, aggregating to Rs. 15,08,161/-, was allegedly detected. On the basis of the inspection report, it was alleged that the shortage had occurred during the tenure of the present applicant as Branch Manager/In-charge of the said society, and consequently the present crime was registered against him, leading to the filing of the present application for grant of bail. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged. It is contended that he has been falsely implicated in the present case without any cogent material. She further submits that the Branch Manager, Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Durg Branch, Ghota, by communication dated 12.06.2026, has reported that no shortage of paddy was found, which substantially demolishes the prosecution case regarding the alleged deficiency. A copy of the said communication along with the relevant documents has been filed as Annexure A/3. It is further submitted that, without prejudice to his rights and contentions, the applicant has already deposited an amount of Rs. 11,76,000/- before the competent authorities and 3 intimated the same vide letter dated 10.06.2026, a copy whereof has been filed as Annexure A/4. She further submits that the applicant has no criminal antecedents, the charge-sheet has been submitted before the competent Court, and he is in jail since 07.06.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, She prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel appearing for the respondent/State opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court. She further submits that the applicant, being the Branch Manager/In-charge of the concerned society, was responsible for the custody and management of the stock. During the joint inspection, a substantial shortage of paddy and jute sacks involving a considerable amount was detected, causing loss to the Government exchequer. . Therefore, considering the gravity of the offence and the role attributed to the applicant, it is prayed that the bail application be rejected. 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 Branch Manager of Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Durg Branch, Ghota, has reported vide communication dated 12.06.2026 that no shortage of paddy was found, that the applicant has already deposited an amount of Rs. 11,76,000/- before the competent authorities and intimated the same to the 4 authorities, and further considering the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedent, he is in jail since 07.06.2026, and charge- sheet has been filed in the present case, and conclusion of the trial may take some time, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant is allowed. Let the Applicant- Jagdish Kumar Naurange, involved in Crime No. 136/2026 registered at Police Station Dhamdha, District Durg, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 316(5) and 318(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, 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. 5 (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 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 provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Rahul Dewangan