1 CGHC010276282026 2026:CGHC:32631 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1202 of 2026 Sarita Mandal W/o Shri Rakesh Mandal Aged About 42 Years R/o Mana, Raipur, Chhattisgarh (Named As Accused No. 2 In The F I R) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Mana Camp, District- Raipur (Rural) Chhattisgarh ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Shri Sharad Prakash Yadav, Advocate. For Non-Applicant : Shri SS Baghel, GA. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 29/07/2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending her arrest in connection with Crime No.85/2026 registered at Police Station – Mana Camp, District – Raipur (Rural) (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 3 (5), 318(4), 336 (3), 340 (2) & 61 of Bharatiya Nyaya KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Digitally signed by KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Date: 2026.07.30 19:38:10 +0530 2 Sanhita (for short ‘BNS’). 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that complainant, Smt. Kavita Mandal, W/o Sanjeev Mandal, resident of Gautam Chowk, Mana Camp, Raipur, who runs a small fast-food business and is acquainted with co-accused and his wife (Applicant Sarita Mandal) as neighbours, was approached about a year prior to July 2024 by the applicant along with one Punit Singh, who represented that they, through a partnership concern styled "Aishini Homes Pvt. Ltd. Where Dream Comes True", could arrange a flat for the complainant under the Raipur Development Authority (RDA) Housing Scheme. It is alleged that upon being so assured, the complainant paid 500/- towards an RDA application on 12.07.2024, ₹50,000/- to Punit Singh through UPI on 08.07.2024, ₹50,000/- to the applicant through UPI on 11.07.2024, and a further sum of ₹5,10,000/- in cash to the applicant, and Punit Singh jointly on 22.07.2024, purportedly as a 25% premium towards the flat. It is further alleged that the applicant executed a written agreement and issued a cheque of RBL Bank as security, which was subsequently dishonored, and that two further cheques issued by Punit Singh from an HDFC Bank account allegedly contained deliberate errors in figures and words. It is alleged that the accused persons failed to refund the amount, leading to registration of non-cognizable report on 08.01.2025 and, eventually, to registration of the impugned FIR pursuant to an order dated 16.03.2026 passed under Section 175 3 (3) BNSS. Hence, the bail application. 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 applicant’s husband is also accused in the present case and the applicant has issued a cheque as security to the complainant. The applicant does not have any criminal antecedents. Therefore the applicant may be released on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents taken on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly considering the allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that the applicant has issued a cheque as security to the complainant and that the applicant does not have any criminal antecedents, as such, this Court is inclined to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Sarita Mandal, on executing a personal bond with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer, she shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) she should not directly or indirectly make any 4 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) she should not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) she should appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d) The Applicant and the sureties shall submit a copy of their adhaar card alongwith a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) she should not involve herself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Barve