1 CGHC010304282026 2026:CGHC:34746 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 7214 of 2026 1. Pushpraj Singh Rajput S/o Late Keshav Rajput Aged About 29 Years R/o Ekta Nagar Bhilai 03, P.S. Purani Bhilai, District – Durg, Chhattisgarh 2. Sagar Sahu S/o Sambhunath Sahu Aged About 25 Years R/o Dadar Road Charoda, P.S. Purani Bhilai, District – Durg, Chhattisgarh ... Applicants versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Purani Bhilai, District - Durg Chhattisgarh ... Non-Applicant For Applicants : Mr. T.K. Jha, Senior Advocate along with Mr. Deepa Jha, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Sumit Singh, Deputy Advocate General. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 07.08.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 318/2026 registered at Police Station - Purani Bhilai, District - Durg (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 353(2), 353(1)(b)(c), 336 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and 67C of IT Act. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 17.06.2026, an FIR was lodged PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.08.07 17:43:13 +0530 2 at Police Station Purani Bhilai, District Durg (C.G.), by the Block President of the Block Congress Committee, Bhilai Charoda, District Durg. It was alleged that on the previous day, i.e., 16.06.2026, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, through his official social media account, had publicly stated that the reporters/operators of a news agency named "Bhilai News Aaj", namely Pushpraj Singh Rajput and Sagar Sahu, were disseminating false and misleading information in his name through social media and digital platforms with the intention of tarnishing his reputation and dignity in the eyes of the public. On the basis of the said allegations, the legal team of the Congress Committee lodged the present FIR seeking legal action against the persons allegedly responsible for defaming the former Chief Minister. Upon completion of the investigation, the police filed Charge-sheet No. 227/2026 dated 23.07.2026 before the learned Trial Court. 3. Learned Senior Advocate appearing for the applicants submits that the applicants are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court. Learned Senior Advocate further submits that the person in respect of whom former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, through his official social media account, had publicly stated that false and fraudulent information was being circulated in his name is one Sourabh Chandrakar, and not the present applicants. It is further submitted that the applicants have been in judicial custody since 17.06.2026. Learned Senior Advocate also submits that applicant No. 1 has three previous criminal antecedents, out of which he has been acquitted in two cases, whereas applicant No. 2 has one previous criminal antecedent, the same has been explained in part – D oof this bail application. Therefore, it is prayed that the applicants be enlarged on 3 regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties, particularly the fact that the charge-sheet has already been filed, applicant No. 1 has three previous criminal antecedents, out of which he has been acquitted in two cases, applicant No. 2 has one previous criminal antecedent, the applicants have been in judicial custody since 17.06.2026, and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, this Court is inclined to allow the present application. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant is allowed. 8. Let the applicant Nos. 1 and 2 – Pushpraj Singh Rajput and Sagar Sahu, involved in Crime No. 318/2026 registered at Police Station - Purani Bhilai, District - Durg (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 353(2), 353(1)(b)(c), 336 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and 67C of IT Act, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties each, in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicants shall file an undertaking to the effect that they 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 applicants shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through their 4 counsel. In case of their absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicants misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure their presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicants fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against them, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicants 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) 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 them in accordance with law. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court for necessary information and compliance. dirurt fo forthwith. - S/- Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti