1 CGHC010286312026 2026:CGHC:32044 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6717 of 2026 Tamalvati Pradhan W/o Shri Virendra Pradhan, Aged About 55 Years, R/o Village Dharampur, Police Station - Sankra, Tahsil - Pithora, District – Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh S.H.O., Police Station - Sankra, District - Mahasamund Chhattisgarh ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Vaibha A. Goverdhan, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Sameeksha Gupta, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 27/07/2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 86/2026 registered at Police Station - Sankra, District - Mahasamund (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 80(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (wrongly mentioned as 82(2) of BNS in the bail rejection order). 2. As per the prosecution case, the marriage of the deceased, Rajni Pradhan, was solemnized with Digesh Pradhan, the son of the applicant, on 06.03.2025. It is alleged that, after the marriage, everything remained PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.07.28 12:20:06 +0530 2 normal for about 3–4 months. Thereafter, Digesh Pradhan and the present applicant, who is the mother-in-law of the deceased, allegedly started subjecting her to cruelty and harassment in connection with the demand for dowry. It is further alleged that, on account of such harassment and ill-treatment, the deceased committed suicide by hanging herself during the intervening night of 26/27.04.2026. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court. Learned counsel submits that the present applicant is the mother-in-law of the deceased, while the husband of the deceased, co-accused Digesh Pradhan, is already in judicial custody. The marriage of the deceased with Digesh Pradhan was solemnized on 06.03.2025. It is further submitted that no dying declaration, suicide note, or eyewitness has been found or recovered during the course of the investigation. According to the statements of the witnesses, the allegations against the applicant are general and omnibus in nature. It is further submitted that the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents and has been in judicial custody since 05.05.2026. As the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, it is prayed that the applicant be enlarged on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the prayer for grant of bail and submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed. She also submits that the present applicant is the mother-in-law of the deceased and has been specifically named in the FIR. It is submitted that the deceased was subjected to cruelty and harassment in connection with the demand for dowry by the applicant and the co-accused, which ultimately drove her to commit suicide within a short period of her marriage. 3 Considering the gravity and seriousness of the offence, coupled with the material available on record, the applicant is not entitled to be released on bail. Accordingly, it is prayed that the present bail application be rejected. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of the allegations, the fact that the applicant is the mother-in-law of the deceased, that no dying declaration, suicide note, or eyewitness has been found during the investigation, that the allegations against the applicant are general, that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents and is in judicial custody since 05.05.2026, and considering that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, and the case of the present applicant is distinguished from the husband of the deceased, this Court is inclined to allow the present bail application. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant is allowed. 8. Let the applicant – Tamalvati Pradhan, involved in Crime No. 86/2026 registered at Police Station - Sankra, District - Mahasamund (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 80(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (wrongly mentioned as 82(2) of BNS in the bail rejection order), 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. 4 (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 him 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 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. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court for necessary information and compliance. dirurt fo forthwith. - S/- Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti