1 CGHC010310652026 2026:CGHC:37653 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1363 of 2026 Lokesh Karsh S/o Raju Karsh Aged About 21 Years R/o S.E.C.L., Pump House, Ward Number 14, Korba, District- Korba (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Of Police Station Civil Line Korba, District- Korba (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Shri Aakash Aahuja, Advocate. For Non-Applicant : Shri Shubham Bajpai, PL. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 21/08/2026 1. The applicant has preferred this application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’), for grant of anticipatory bail, apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.404/2026, registered at Police Station Civil Lines, Korba, District Korba (C.G.) for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 333, 324 (4)(5), 296, 115(2), 351 (3), KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Digitally signed by KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Date: 2026.08.24 13:53:15 +0530 2 326 (G) & 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNS’). 2. Allegation against the present applicant is that on 07.05.2026, he along with co-accused persons came to the complainant’s house and demanded liquor. When the complainant refused, they abused him in filthy language, vandalised the gate in front of his house and other household articles, threatened to kill him, and assaulted him with fists, blows, and stones. They also picked up the bajwat kept in the courtyard and set it on fire. Thereafter, FIR was registered. Hence, the bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the present case. He further submits that there is no direct or cogent evidence to substantiate the fact that the applicant has committed the alleged offence. The case of the prosecution is riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions. The evidence collected during the investigation is not sufficient to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Co-accused has already been released on anticipatory bail vide order dated 13.7.2026 passed in MCRCA No.1084/2026. Hence he prays to enlarge the applicant on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail and submitted that the applicant has 4 criminal antecedents registered against him viz. (1) Crime 3 No.425/2022, for offence under Sections 294, 506, 323/34 of the IPC, (2) Crime No.40/2023, for offence under Section 363/34 of the IPC, (3) Crime No.407/2025 for offence under Sections 296, 115(2), 351 (2) of the BNS, & (4) Crime No.649/2025 for offence under Sections 296, 115(2), 351 (2) of the BNS, and the applicant seems to be a habitual offender, therefore, the anticipatory bail application of the applicant deserves to be rejected. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the submissions of learned counsel for the parties, particularly considering the allegations levelled against the applicant that he along with co-accused persons came to the house of the complainant and demanded liquor, when the complainant refused, they abused him in filthy language, vandalised the gate in front of his house and other household articles, threatened to kill him, and assaulted him with fists, blows, and stones and that applicant has 4 criminal antecedents registered against him viz. (1) Crime No.425/2022, for offence under Sections 294, 506, 323/34 of the IPC, (2) Crime No.40/2023, for offence under Section 363/34 of the IPC, (3) Crime No.407/2025 for offence under Sections 296, 115(2), 351 (2) of the BNS, & (4) Crime No.649/2025 for offence under Sections 296, 115(2), 351 (2) of the BNS, I am not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4 7. Accordingly, the anticipatory bail application of the applicant - Lokesh Karsh, involved in Crime No.404/2026, registered at Police Station Civil Lines, Korba, District Korba (C.G.) for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 333, 324 (4)(5), 296, 115(2), 351 (3), 326 (G) & 3(5) of the BNS, is rejected. Sd/- Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Barve