1 CGHC010263532026 2026:CGHC:31255 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1072 of 2026 1 - Rahul Kumar Sinha S/o - Late Murari Mohan Sinha, Aged About 43 Years R/o Bank Of Baroda, Gadsisa, Police Station - Mandvi, Tahsil - Gadsisa, District - Kutch (Gujrat) ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through Anti-Corruption Bureau Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Ratnesh Kumar Agrawal, Advocate For Respondent(s)/State : Mr. Sumit Singh, Dy. A.G. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 22.07.2026 1. This is the first anticipatory bail application filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime RUCHI YADAV Digitally signed by RUCHI YADAV 2 No. 4/2020 registered at Police Station- Anti-Corruption Bureau, Raipur District Raipur (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of IPC. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that at the relevant time, the applicant was posted as the Branch Manager of Bank of Baroda. It is alleged that, in conspiracy with the main accused, Vishwajeet Bhowmik, the applicant facilitated the sanction and disbursement of loans in favour of 11 fictitious firms by using forged documents, false addresses and the properties of loan account holders, thereby causing a wrongful loss of ₹5,04,15,000/- to the bank. It is further alleged that despite issuance of notice for interrogation, the applicant did not cooperate with the investigation. Consequently, the present crime was registered against the applicant. 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, arising out of the same transaction, three criminal cases were registered against the applicant and other accused persons and in Crime No. 816/2020, registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 34 of the IPC, the applicant has already been acquitted by the competent Court. It is further submitted that the applicant, in his capacity as Branch Manager, sanctioned the loan solely on the basis of the reports submitted by the concerned Bank officials after completing the requisite verification and valuation process, in the bona fide discharge of his official duties. It is further submitted that applicant is ready to 3 cooperate with the investigation and his custodial interrogation is not warranted. On these grounds, it is prayed that the applicant be granted anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the anticipatory bail application and submits that, in compliance with the order dated 13.07.2026, the affidavit of the Investigating Officer has been filed. It is submitted that the applicant is a habitual offender and has previous criminal antecedents involving serious offences of a similar nature. Therefore, it is prayed that the present anticipatory bail application be dismissed. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. Considering the nature of the allegations, the fact that the applicant has already been acquitted in one of the criminal cases arising out of the same transaction, the submission that the loan was sanctioned by the applicant in his capacity as Branch Manager on the basis of reports submitted by the concerned Bank officials in the discharge of his official duties, the fact that the applicant has expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant has made out a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Rahul Kumar Sinha on executing a personal bond and one local surety in the like sum 4 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