1 CGHC010296632026 2026:CGHC:36028 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 7511 of 2026 1 - Laxmi Kumar Sinha S/o Itwari Sinha Aged About 31 Years R/o Akaltara, Police Station And Tehsil Akaltara, District Janjgir Champa C. G. ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through- Station House Officer, Police Station, Pamgarh, District Janjgir Champa C. G. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Ms. Divya Sahu, Advocate For Respondent(s)/State : Mr. Shailendra Sharma, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 13.08.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNSS”), seeking grant of regular bail to the applicant, who is in judicial custody in connection with Crime No. 249/2026 registered at Police Station Pamgarh, District Janjgir-Champa (Chhattisgarh), for the offences RUCHI YADAV Digitally signed by RUCHI YADAV 2 punishable under Sections 331(4), 305(a), 317(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 15.06.2026, the complainant Rishi Singh reported at Police Station Pamgarh that 65 sacks of paddy had been stolen from Siddhi Vinayak Rice Mill, Chandipara, where the mill was secured by fencing and guarded by a watchman. On the basis of the report, Crime No. 249/2026 was registered against unknown persons. During investigation, on the basis of information received from an informer, accused Raja Lahare was apprehended and, upon interrogation, allegedly disclosed that he had committed the theft along with the co-accused persons, including the present applicant, and that the stolen paddy had been sold to Rakesh Sahu. Rakesh Sahu, upon interrogation, allegedly disclosed that he had further sold the stolen paddy to Kanha Rice Mill. Thereafter, the operator of Kanha Rice Mill disclosed that he had purchased paddy from Rakesh Sahu and another person, pursuant to which the said paddy was seized. Accordingly, Section 317(2) of the BNS was added against the concerned accused persons. 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 co-accused Shailesh Rai has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 10.08.2026 passed in MCRC No. 7284 of 2026 and, therefore, the applicant also deserves to be extended the benefit of parity. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant has been in judicial custody since 16.06.2026 and he has no criminal antecedents. The trial is likely to 3 take considerable time to conclude. Accordingly, learned counsel prays that the applicant be enlarged on regular bail. 4. Learned State counsel opposes the bail application; however, fairly submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed and the applicant has no criminal antecedents. It is further submitted that, considering the material available on record, the applicant does not deserve to be enlarged on bail. Accordingly, it is prayed that the bail application be rejected. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the nature of the allegations, the fact that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant has remained in judicial custody since 16.06.2026, has no criminal antecedents, and, more particularly, co-accused Shailesh Rai has already been granted bail by this Court, this Court finds substance in the submission regarding parity. Since the investigation stands concluded and the trial is likely to take considerable time, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the applicant in further custody. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered view that the applicant deserves to be enlarged on bail. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the Applicant –Laxmi Kumar Sinha involved in Crime No. 249/2026 registered at Police Station Pamgarh, District Janjgir-Champa (Chhattisgarh), for the offences punishable under Sections 331(4), 305(a), 317(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, be released on bail on furnishing 4 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 in accordance with law. (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) 5 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. 8. However, this Court hopes and trusts that the trial Court shall make an earnest endeavour to conclude the trial expeditiously from the receipt of this order in accordance with law, if there is no legal impediment. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Ruchi