1 CGHC010267182026 2026:CGHC:30680 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1127 of 2026 1 - Santosh Kumar Verma S/o Sawant Ram Verma Aged About 52 Years R/o 146 Ward No. 5 Bijnapur Post Mohra Dongargarh, District- Rajnandgaon, C.G. ... Applicant (s) versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through Chowki Mohra, Police Station- Dongargarh, Dongargarh, District- Rajnandgaon, C.G. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Shahid Siddiqui along with Ms. Vedagni Jangde, Advocate For Respondent(s)State : Ms. Anusha Naik, Dy. G.A. 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.268/2026 registered at Police Station – Dongadgarh, District- RUCHI YADAV Digitally signed by RUCHI YADAV 2 Rajnandgaon (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 316(5), 318(4) and 3(5) of BNS, 2023. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that a written complaint was lodged against the applicant, who was posted as the Manager of the Cooperative Society, along with the co-accused, namely the Computer Operator and Raju Verma, alleging that during Kharif Procurement Season 2025–26 they violated the Custom Milling Programme, 2025–26 by misappropriating Government paddy and committing fraud. During investigation, it was found that although 1,12,831.60 quintals of paddy were shown to have been procured online, only 1,11,835.92 quintals were actually delivered to the rice millers and warehouses, while the remaining 995.68 quintals were falsely shown as "shrinkage", causing a wrongful loss of ₹30,86,608/- to the Government. It was further alleged that paddy was illegally sold without any supporting documents or delivery orders in violation of Clause 9.2 of the Custom Milling Scheme, 2025–26. On the basis of the said complaint, the present FIR was registered against the applicant and other accused persons. 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. Learned counsel further submits that co-accused Vedprakash Sahu has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 08.07.2026 passed in MCRCA No. 1047 of 2026. It is 3 submitted that the case of the present applicant stands on the same footing as that of the said co-accused and, therefore, the applicant is entitled to the benefit of parity. 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 memorandum statement of the co-accused specifically implicates the present applicant in the commission of the alleged offence. It is, therefore, contended that there is sufficient material against the applicant and, accordingly, 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. Having considered the material available on record and particularly taking into consideration the fact that co-accused Vedprakash Sahu has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 08.07.2026 passed in MCRCA No. 1047 of 2026, this Court is of the opinion that the case of the present applicant is squarely covered by the principle of parity. Merely because the memorandum statement of the co-accused refers to the applicant, the same, by itself, is not sufficient to deny the discretionary relief of anticipatory bail. The applicant is stated to have no criminal antecedents. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to 4 extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 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 –Santosh Kumar Verma 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