1 CGHC010294922026 2026:CGHC:35241 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6942 of 2026 1. Vinod Kumar Tekam S/o Remesh Tekam Aged About 26 Years R/o Village Bhansuli Thana, Narharpur, District Kanker C.G. 2. Shailendra Kumar Yadav S/o Girdhari Yadav Aged About 26 Years R/o Village Bhansuli Thana, Narharpur District Kanker C.G. 3. Ghasiya Ram S/o Dhan Singh Aged About 20 Years R/o Village Bhansuli Thana, Narharpur District Kanker C.G. 4. Pardeep Netam S/o Pile Singh Aged About 20 Years R/o Village Bhansuli Thana, Narharpur District Kanker C.G. 5. Shivanand Markam S/o Ramesh Markam Aged About 23 Years R/o Village Bhansuli Thana, Narharpur District Kanker C.G. ... Applicants versus State of Chhattisgarh Through The Range Officer, Forest Range Birgudi Circle Gattasilli, District – Dhamtari, C.G. ... Non-Applicant For Applicants : Mr. J.K. Gupta, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Anusha Naik, Deputy Government Advocate. Hon’ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 11.08.2026 1. The applicants have preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.08.12 17:46:50 +0530 2 bail, as they have been arrested in connection with FIR No./PRO No. 16920/1, registered at Police Station – Forest Range Officer, Birgudi, District - Dhamtari (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 2(20), 9, 39, 50, 51 and 52 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the Range Officer, Forest Range, Birgudi, Circle Gattasilli Dist. Dhamtari has arrested the applicants on the basis of suspicion of being hunted three Pangolin (Asodiya) and one Monitor Lizard in bit no. 433 Reserve Forest and ate them. 3. Learned counsel 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 and that the applicants have no previous criminal antecedents. He further submits that the applicants have been in judicial custody since 07.07.2026. In view of the aforesaid circumstances, learned counsel prays that the applicant be enlarged on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the bail application and submitted that the charge-sheet has been filed. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the documents available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the applicants, and the fact that the charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court, the applicants have no previous criminal antecedents and they are in jail since 07.07.2026, this Court is of the opinion that the applicants are entitled to be released on bail in the present case. 3 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the applicant Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - Vinod Kumar Tekam, Shailendra Kumar Yadav, Ghasiya Ram, Pardeep Netam and Shivanand Markam, respectively involved in FIR No./PRO No. 16920/1, registered at Police Station – Forest Range Officer, Birgudi, District - Dhamtari (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 2(20), 9, 39, 50, 51 and 52 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, be released on bail on their 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 counsel. In case of their absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against them 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 applicant 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. 4 (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 applicants are 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. 8. 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 Preeti