1 CGHC010268222026 2026:CGHC:30673 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1136 of 2026 1 - Anuj Shrivastav S/o Shri Pramod Shrivastav Aged About 39 Years R/o Ward No. 17, Mangla, Police Station Civil Line, District Bilaspur C.G. … Applicant(s) versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Civil Line, District Bilaspur C.G. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Hemant Kumar Sahu, Advocate For Respondent(s)/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, P.L. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 20.07.2026 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.789/2026 registered at Police Station –Civil Line, District- RUCHI YADAV Digitally signed by RUCHI YADAV 2 Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 308(2), 356 (2) and 61(2) of BNS, 2023. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that the complainant, Manoj Kumar, a Constable posted at Police Station Civil Lines, Bilaspur, lodged a written report alleging that while performing patrol duty, a video of him and another constable resting in the police station barracks was clandestinely recorded. It was alleged that Sonu Thakur, a tea stall owner, demanded ₹1,00,000/- from the complainant over the phone, threatening that the video would be made viral by falsely portraying the complainant as sleeping after consuming alcohol. When the complainant refused to pay the demanded amount, the video was allegedly circulated on social media with an intention to extort money and defame him. During investigation, it was further alleged that the video had been recorded by co-accused Ritesh Mishra and shared with the present applicant and other co-accused. On the basis of the said complaint, the present crime was registered against the applicant and other accused persons for the offences punishable under Sections 308(2), 356(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the matter was taken up for investigation. 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 is a journalist by profession and in the discharge of his professional duties, had merely reported the incident. It is further submitted that the applicant neither 3 demanded any money from the complainant nor extended any threat to him, and has been falsely implicated solely because the video concerning the complainant was published. Learned counsel also submits that the applicant has no criminal antecedents, the offences alleged are triable by the Judicial Magistrate First Class and there is no likelihood of the applicant absconding or interfering with the investigation. Accordingly, it is prayed that the applicant be enlarged on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel vehemently opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail and submits that the allegations against the applicant are serious and the material collected during the course of investigation prima facie discloses his involvement in the commission of the alleged offences. Accordingly, it is prayed that the anticipatory bail application deserves to be rejected. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the overall facts and circumstances of the case, the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedents and the offences alleged are triable by the Judicial Magistrate First Class. At this stage, no material has been brought on record by the prosecution to show that the custodial interrogation of the applicant is indispensable or that he is likely to evade the process of law. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of 4 the case, this Court finds it to be a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail. Accordingly, the application is allowed. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Anuj Shrivastav 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) he 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 him from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) he shall 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 copy of their adhaar card along with a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Ruchi