1 MCRCA No. 1145 of 2026 CGHC010267222026 2026:CGHC:30696 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1145 of 2026 1 - Jogiram S/o- Shani Ram, Aged About 68 Years, R/o- Village Dhodhagaon, P.S. And Tehsil Sitapur District- Surguja (C.G.). --- Applicant versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Sitapur District- Surguja (C.G.). --- Respondent For Applicant :- Mr. Nishkant Sinha, Advocate. For State :- Mr. Samir Singh, Dy. Advocate General. Hon'ble Shri 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. 188/2026 registered at Police Station Sitapur, District - Surguja, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318, 316(5), 61(2), 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. ANKIT KUMAR SINGH Digitally signed by ANKIT KUMAR SINGH 2 MCRCA No. 1145 of 2026 2. As per the prosecution’s case, in the brief, is that the Collector, Surguja has conducted an inquiry about fraud committed in District Cooperative and directed for lodging of F.I.R, thereafter an FIR has been lodged alleging applicant and other members/co-accused persons for using forged signatures of 127 Agriculturist and obtained loan of Rs. 1,92,82,096/- and misappropriated the funds against which the present anticipatory bail application has been filed. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the applicant is a private person who was appointed as Authorized persons by the Sub Registrar. He would further submit that the main accused Dinesh Kumar had committed suicide after revelation of the fraud, which was committed by him. He would further submit that anticipatory bail of two co-accused persons namely Shivshankar Soni and Bhupendra Singh were rejected who were the employees of the cooperative bank by order of this Court’s dated 13.07.2026 & 15.07.2026 in MCRCA Nos. 1078/2026 & 1109/2026, respectively. Further anticipatory bail of one co- accused person namely Lalita Sinha was allowed by this Court’s order dated 13.07.2026 passed in MCRCA No.1089/5026. The case of present applicant is clearly distinguishable to the case of other co-accused as the present applicant has no role to play in the crime in question and the 3 MCRCA No. 1145 of 2026 applicant is aged about 68 years, therefore, he is entitled for grant of anticipatory bail. Hence, it is prayed that the applicant be granted anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non-applicant/State, would oppose the submission made by the learned counsel for the applicant and submit that prima facie involvement of the applicant is appeared, therefore, the applicant is not entitled to the discretionary relief and the application for grant of anticipatory bail deserves to be rejected. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of allegations and the material available on record, it appears that the case of the present applicant is different to the case of other co-accused persons whose anticipatory bail were rejected. Particularly considering the age of the present applicant who is aged about 68 years, this Court is of the considered opinion that the applicant deserves to be enlarged on anticipatory bail. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Jogiram on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to 4 MCRCA No. 1145 of 2026 the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, they shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) The applicant(s) 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) The applicant(s) shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The applicant(s) shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d) The applicant(s) and the surety shall submit a copy of his aadhaar card along with a coloured postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) The applicant(s) shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Ankit