1 CGHC010261212026 2026:CGHC:30666 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6435 of 2026 Sujal Chouhan S/o Nandu Chouhan @ Nanduram Chouhan, Aged About 18 Years R/o Village Barbaspur, P. S. Katghora Bel Tikari Basahat, Distt. Korba (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through P. S. Deepka, District - Korba (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Vijay Kumar Sahu, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 20.07.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 01/2026, registered at Police Station - Deepka, District - Korba (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 331(6), 310(2), 118(1) and 111 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 01.01.2026, the complainant, namely, Ram Kumar Gopal, lodged a report against certain unknown persons alleging that they had committed theft of electronic articles and a breaker panel from near the Khadan Substation on 31.12.2025. Pursuant PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.07.21 14:57:56 +0530 2 to the said report, an FIR was registered against the unknown persons. During the course of investigation, the police arrested the co-accused persons, and on the basis of their memorandum statements, the present applicant came to be implicated in the present case. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the present applicant is an innocent person who has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the co-accused, namely, Sahil Jaiswal has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 15.06.2026 passed in MCRC No. 2815/2026. He also submits that the present applicant has one previous criminal antecedent. He submits that the charge-sheet has already been submitted in the present case before the competent Court and the applicant has been in jail since 08.01.2026, conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant on the ground of parity. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the bail application of the present applicant but could not dispute the fact that the co-accused has already been granted bail by this Court. She submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court. She further submits that the applicant has one previous criminal antecedent. Therefore, it is contended that the applicant is not entitled to the grant of bail. 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 and gravity of the offence, and further the co-accused, namely, Sahil Jaiswal has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 15.06.2026 passed in MCRC No. 2815/2026, the present applicant has one previous 3 criminal antecedent, the charge-sheet has already been submitted in the present case before the competent Court and the applicant has been in jail since 08.01.2026, this Court is of the opinion that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail on the ground of parity. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the applicant – Sujal Chouhan, involved in Crime No. 01/2026, registered at Police Station - Deepka, District - Korba (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 331(6), 310(2), 118(1) and 111 of the Bhartiya 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 his under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (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 his, 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 4 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 send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti