1 CGHC010268112026 2026:CGHC:32146 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6552 of 2026 1 - Narayan Singh Thakur (Sunny) Son Of Late Bajrang Singh Thakur Aged About 32 Years Resident Of Yadunandan Nagar, Tifra, Police Station- Sirgitti, Tahsil And District - Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station- Sirgitti, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant (s) : Mr. Gautam Khetrapal, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Avinash Singh, GA (Hon’ble Shri Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) Order on Board 27/07/2026 The applicant is claiming regular bail who has been arrested on 15.04.2026 in connection with Crime No. 251/2026 registered at police station Sirgitti, District Bilaspur for the offence under Section 7(2) of the CG Gambling (Prohibition) Act and 112 of the BNSS, 2022. 2 2. Case of the prosecution in brief is that while on patrol duty, the police personnel of Police Station Sirgitti, District Bilaspur, received credible secret information that certain persons were engaged in online gambling through their mobile phones near Bazar Chowk, Tifra. Acting upon the said information, the police conducted a raid at the spot and found two persons indulging in online betting on a cricket match through their mobile phones. Upon enquiry, they disclosed their identities as Zubair Rizvi and Sunny Singh Thakur. They further stated that the internet connectivity for the gambling activities was being provided by the present applicant, Rupesh Khobragade, and that they were placing bets on cricket matches through the said facility. They also disclosed that the amount received through online transactions in connection with the gambling activities was retained by the present applicant, while the cash component was kept by them. 3. During the search, the mobile phones of the accused persons, Zubair Rizvi and Sunny Singh Thakur, were seized. Upon examination, several screenshots reflecting online gambling transactions were recovered therefrom. Further, cash amounting to ₹720/- was recovered from Zubair Rizvi and ₹970/- from Sunny Singh Thakur. The aforesaid accused persons were arrested, whereas the present applicant is apprehending his arrest in connection with the aforesaid crime. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that, apart from the seizure of the applicant's mobile phone, no other incriminating article has been recovered from his possession. It is contended that the prosecution merely alleges that certain screenshots pertaining to an 3 online gambling platform were recovered from the applicant's mobile phone, but no money trail or financial transaction has been traced to the applicant through the said device. It is further submitted that the screenshots extracted from the applicant's mobile phone do not constitute independent incriminating evidence and that, except for the said screenshots, there is no other material on record connecting the applicant with the commission of the alleged offence. 5. He further submits that co-accused Zubair Rizvi has already been enlarged on bail by the learned Trial Court. It is also pointed out that the applicant's bail application was rejected by the learned Trial Court solely on the ground of his criminal antecedents. Elaborating further, it is submitted that although three criminal antecedents are attributed to the applicant, the cases pertaining to the years 2015 and 2019 have already been disposed of and relate only to offences of card gambling. The third case, registered in the year 2024, also pertains to card gambling and is presently pending before the learned Trial Court. It is, therefore, contended that the present case is the first instance in which the applicant has been implicated in an offence relating to online gambling. 6. It is lastly submitted that the applicant has been in judicial custody since 15.04.2026. As the investigation has been concluded and the charge-sheet has already been filed, the trial is likely to consume considerable time therfore he may be enlarged on bail. 7. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that, upon examination of the mobile phone of 4 the present applicant, several screenshots depicting the online betting platform were recovered during the course of investigation. It is contended that the said material establishes the applicant's involvement in facilitating online gambling activities. 8. It is further submitted that there are three accused persons involved in the commission of the offence, one of whom is still absconding. The applicant is also stated to have three criminal antecedents under the provisions of the Gambling Act. Having regard to the nature and gravity of the allegations, the material collected during the investigation, and the applicant's active involvement in the alleged offence in concert with the other accused persons, it is contended that he does not deserve the discretionary relief of anticipatory bail. 9. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the respective parties and perused the case diary along with the documents annexed thereto. 10. Upon due consideration of the rival submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties, the nature and gravity of the allegations, and the material collected during the course of investigation, particularly the screenshots recovered from the mobile phone of the present applicant depicting the online betting platform, coupled with the fact that the applicant has criminal antecedents, I am not inclined to extend the discretionary relief of anticipatory bail to the applicant at this stage. Accordingly, the bail application is rejected at this stage. Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) Judge SUGUNA DUBEY Digitally signed by SUGUNA DUBEY Date: 2026.07.29 11:02:55 +0530