1 CGHC010287552026 2026:CGHC:32967 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1217 of 2026 Manish Kumar Sahu S/o Shri Bhekh Ram Sahu Aged About 29 Years R/o - 644, Madhuban Nagar, Borsi, Ward No. 51, Durg, District- Durg, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Mohan Nagar, Durg, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Ishan Verma, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Ritika Verma, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 30.07.2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 348/2026 registered at Police Station – Mohan Nagar Durg (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 115(2), 119, 296, 351(3), 324(4) & 3(5) of the BNS 2023. 2. The prosecution story, in brief is that, on 18.05.2026 at about 1:00 A.M., the complainant was standing near Rishi Bar, Durg, along with VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.07.31 10:47:45 +0530 2 his friend, when the applicant and another person allegedly approached him, abused and assaulted him, demanded money for liquor, and threatened him with dire consequences. It is further alleged that the applicant followed the complainant inside the bar, continued the assault, and damaged a beer crate. On the basis of the written complaint, FIR was registered as Crime No. 348/2026 on 21.05.2026 at Police Station Mohan Nagar, District Durg. However, it is also the prosecution record that prior to registration of the present FIR, the applicant had lodged Crime No. 341/2026 on 18.05.2026 regarding the same occurrence, alleging that he was abused, threatened and assaulted by the complainant party near Rishi Bar. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is a law- abiding and socially responsible citizen having no previous criminal antecedents and has been falsely implicated in the present case as an act of retaliation. It is submitted that the present FIR is an afterthought arising out of the very same incident, as the applicant had already lodged an FIR in respect of the occurrence prior to registration of the present case by the complainant, and the subsequent FIR contains exaggerated and embellished allegations. It is further submitted that there is an unexplained delay of about three days in lodging the FIR, which casts doubt upon the prosecution version. Learned counsel further submits that the applicant is a professional dancer and works as a dance choreographer, and his arrest and detention would seriously prejudice his professional career and cause undue mental hardship. It is also submitted that the applicant is a socially responsible person who has voluntarily pledged to donate his organs after death for saving the lives of needy patients and, in recognition thereof, has been issued an 3 organ donor card by Sarvdharm Seva Sanstha, Bhilai. Learned counsel submits that the allegations against the applicant are unsubstantiated and there is no material warranting his custodial interrogation; his arrest would serve no useful purpose except causing harassment. The applicant is ready and willing to fully cooperate with the investigation and abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Hon'ble Court. He has deep-rooted ties with the community, is a permanent resident within the jurisdiction of this Hon'ble Court, and there is no likelihood of his absconding or tampering with the prosecution evidence. On these grounds, learned counsel prays that the applicant may kindly be granted the benefit of anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the anticipatory bail application of the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the dispute, the material available on record, and the nature of the injuries sustained by the injured, which appear to be simple in nature, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court finds it appropriate to grant 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 – Manish Kumar Sahu, on executing a personal bond and one local surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- 4 (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 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 surety shall submit a copy of his adhaar card along with a coloured 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 vaibhav