1 CGHC010278662026 2026:CGHC:31214 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6567 of 2026 Pawan Sahu @ Bodra S/o Vijay Sahu Aged About 22 Years R/o Ganesh Chowk, Chingrajpara, P.S. Sarkanda, District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through The Police Station Civil Lines, District - Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ritesh Verma, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State. : Mr. Shubham Bajpai, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 22.07.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 477/2024 registered at Police Station – Civil Lines, District – Bilaspur (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 379, 457, 381, 411, 34, 380 and 311 of the Indian Penal Code. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that the complainant, namely, Nitin Kharde Navis, lodged a written complaint stating that on 21.05.2024, at approximately 5:30 PM, he left the school after closing hours and went home. On the following morning, i.e., 22.05.2024, at around 8:00 AM, he ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.07.23 11:32:12 +0530 2 received information from the school staff that iron pipes used for making furniture, valued at approximately Rs. 10,000/-, were missing from the school premises. Upon reaching the school, the complainant confirmed that the said iron pipes had been stolen by an unknown person. On the basis of the said complaint, the police at Police Station Civil Lines, Bilaspur (C.G.), registered FIR No. 477/2024 under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code against an unknown accused. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the stolen property has already been recovered from the co- accused, who has been enlarged on bail, and, therefore, the present applicant is also entitled to be enlarged on bail on the ground of parity. He further submits that although the applicant has 07 criminal antecedents, he has already been acquitted in 05 of those cases, while the remaining 02 cases are pending at the stage of prosecution evidence. The explanation regarding the said criminal antecedents has been duly furnished in Paragraph D of the present bail application. It is further submitted that the applicant has been in judicial custody since 27.05.2024, and as the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, he prays that the applicant be enlarged on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court. He further submits that, in view of the criminal antecedents of the applicant, the applicant is not entitled to the grant of regular bail in the present case. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, and 3 further considering that though the applicant has 07 criminal antecedents, he has already been acquitted in 05 of those cases, while the remaining 02 cases are pending at the stage of prosecution evidence, the explanation regarding the said criminal antecedents having been duly furnished in Paragraph D of the present bail application and further considering that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court, the applicant has been in judicial custody since 27.05.2024, and having regard to the period of detention already undergone by the applicant as well as the fact that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, this Court is of the opinion that the applicant is entitled to be released on regular bail. 7. 7. Let the Applicant – Pawan Sahu @ Bodra, involved in Crime No. 477/2024 registered at Police Station – Civil Lines, District – Bilaspur (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 379, 457, 381, 411, 34, 380 and 311 of the Indian Penal Code, be released on bail on furnishing 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 4 fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, 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 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 Abhishek