1 CGHC010271802026 2026:CGHC:30964 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR M.Cr.C(A) No.1148 of 2026 Ashok Kumar Prajapati S/o Late Amarlal Aged About 25 Years Caste Kumhar, R/o Village Badariya P.S. And Tehsil Patna, District- Koriya (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through SHO P.S. Patna, District- Koriya (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. TK Jha, Senior Advocate along with Mr. Parth Kumar Jha, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Nupur Trivedi, PL. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 21.07.2026 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the Applicant who is apprehending his arrest in connection SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Digitally signed by SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Date: 2026.07.21 18:27:21 +0530 2 with Crime No.163/2026 registered at Police Station – Patna, District Koriya (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 296, 351(2) & 85 of BNS. 2. As per the prosecution case, the victim solemnized marriage with co-accused Ashok Kumar Prajapati on 15.04.2025 at Ramdaiya Temple, Sagarpur. After the marriage, they started residing together as husband and wife at Quarter No.44, Katkona Mines, along with the victim’s mother-in-law, Asha Devi. It is alleged that the present Applicant, Ramsai Prajapati, who is the grandfather-in-law of the prosecutrix and resides separately at Village Bardiya, used to visit the matrimonial home and taunt the victim for marrying outside their caste, stating that had Ashok Kumar married within the community, he would have received substantial dowry. It is further alleged that the accused persons demanded Rs.50,000/- and a motorcycle as dowry. On 21.07.2025, at about 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., the husband, mother-in-law and the present Applicant allegedly reiterated the dowry demand, abused the victim in filthy language, threatened to kill her and subjected her to mental cruelty. Thereafter, the victim informed her father and brother-in-law and the prosecution alleges the prima facie involvement of the present Applicant in the commission of the aforesaid offences. Hence, this 3 application. 3. Learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is submitted that no demand of dowry was ever made from the complainant and that the marriage between the complainant and the co-accused was a love marriage. It is further submitted that other family members have already been granted anticipatory bail by the concerned trial Court vide order dated 27.06.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time and therefore, the Applicant may be granted anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the grant of anticipatory bail to the Applicant. 5. Considering the submissions advanced by learned Counsel for the parties, the material available in the case diary, the nature of allegations, the fact that the other family members have already been granted anticipatory bail by the concerned trial Court vide order dated 27.06.2026 and without further commenting anything on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered opinion that it is a fit case to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the present Applicant. 6. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed 4 that in the event of arrest of the Applicant – Ashok Kumar Prajapati, on executing a personal bond with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he 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/her/them 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/her/them by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d)The Applicant/s and the surety shall submit a copy of his/her/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)The Applicant/s shall not involve himself/herself/themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Priya