1 CGHC010298472026 2026:CGHC:37913 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1285 of 2026 Prem Kumar Mahilange S/o Santosh Mahilange Aged About 19 Years R/o Village Birgaon, P.S. Jarhagaon, Distt. Mungeli, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer/ Thana Incharge, P.S. Jarhagaon, Distt. Mungeli, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Shri Jitendra Banjara, Advocate. For Non-Applicant : Miss Ritika Verma, PL. For Objector : Shri Ayush Lall, Advocate. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 24/08/2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.96/2026 registered at Police Station – Jarhagaon, District – Mungeli (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 75, 77, 351 (3), 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (for KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Digitally signed by KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Date: 2026.08.26 12:34:46 +0530 2 short ‘BNS’) and under Section 12 of the POCSO Act. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that complainant Ku. Nandani Sahu lodged a report on 18.06.2026 alleging that on 12.06.2026 and 14.06.2026 near the public water supply, the present applicant and co-accused namely Santram made vulgar comment and they asked about the physical relationship. On the basis of information police registered the offence u/s 75, 77, 351(3), 3(5) of BNS and Section 12 of POCSO Act. Hence, the bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that father of the applicant had lodged an FIR against Ranjit Sahu, Dipak Sahu, Gourishankar Sahu and other family members of the victim for offence under Sections 115 (2), 296, 3(5) and 351(3) of the BNS on 14.6.2026 for an incident occurred on the said date. The applicant was also injured in the said incident and after 4 days of the said incident, the present FIR has been lodged, as a counter case, which is not disputed by learned counsel for the Objector. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel and learned counsel for the Objector oppose the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 5. The victim is also present in the Court who opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents taken on record. 3 7. Considering submissions of learned counsel for the parties, particularly considering that father of the applicant had lodged an FIR against Ranjit Sahu, Dipak Sahu, Gourishankar Sahu and other family members of the victim for offence under Sections 115 (2), 296, 3(5) and 351(3) of the BNS on 14.6.2026 for an incident occurred on the said date, the applicant was also injured in the said incident and after 4 days of the said incident, the present FIR has been lodged, as a counter case, which is not disputed by learned counsel for the Objector, as such, this Court is inclined to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 8. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Prem Kumar Mahilange, on executing a personal bond with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) He should 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 should not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) he should 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 sureties shall submit a copy of their adhaar card alongwith a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which 4 shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) He should not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Barve