1 CGHC010317592026 2026:CGHC:36657 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1344 of 2026 Anand Agrawal (Anand Krishna Agrawal) S/o Hare Krishna Agrawal Aged About 42 Years R/o Shahi Bhojnalaya, Ghadi Chowk, Near Petrol Pump, Dhamtari, Tehsil And District- Dhamtari (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police Station City Kotwali, Dhamtari, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Ms. Aditi Singhvi, Advocate. For Non-Applicant : Shri Sourabh Sahu, PL. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 17/08/2026 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.136/2026 registered at Police Station – City Kotwali, Dhamtari District – Dhamtari (C.G.) for the offence punishable KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Digitally signed by KRISHNA KUMAR BARVE Date: 2026.08.18 20:10:38 +0530 2 under Sections 308 (2), 351 (2) & 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (for short ‘BNS’). 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that a complaint was lodged by the complainant namely Ankit Agrawal that he used to go for dinner at the Shahi Restaurant owned by applicant and his wife, as a result of which he came in contact with the applicant. The applicant and his wife took initiative of marriage between the complainant and their niece. It has been alleged that the applicant and his wife took a sum of Rs.16,83,000/- through phone pay from the complainant and Rs.11,00,000 in cash, amounting to total of Rs.27,83,000/-. Thereafter FIR was lodged against the applicant. Hence, the bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the complainant used to visit the Restaurant run by the applicant and his wife on a daily basis because of which they all came to know each other. The complainant used to request them to pay in cash in return of the small portions of amount he disbursed through online mode. In fact the applicant has paid a sum of Rs.11,00,000/- to the complainant in front of the hotel staff as the same has been asked by the complainant. Furthermore on 26.02.2026 a written complaint was given by the applicant's wife before Superintendent of Police, Dhamtari, District Dhamtari (C.G.) stating that the complainant took a sum of Rs.11,00,000/- from applicant because of his needs to purchase 3 the house. On 17.12.2025 the complainant informed the husband of the applicant that he made a video call to someone and naked video was recorded and that the police complaint has been filed against the complainant. Therefore, he resided at the house of the applicant, the complainant transferred certain amount in the account of the applicant under the fear that his account might be hacked. The complainant has returned certain amount of money to the applicant. On 30.12.2025 the complainant stayed back at the house of the applicant as he was not feeling well and asked the applicant’s wife to bring tea for him in the morning. As soon as the applicant's wife went to the room of the complainant to give him tea he was lying naked in his room and caught hold of the applicant's wife. The husband of the applicant also reached on spot. On that day it was informed by the staff of the applicant's hotel that the complainant also used to misbehave with his her. It was upon the complaint of the applicant that an FIR u/s 74,79 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has been registered against the complainant bearing Crime No.138/2026 at Police Station City Kotwali District- Dhamtari (C.G). The wife of the applicant was also arrayed as an accused in the instant crime, who has been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 2.7.2026 passed in MCRCA No. 1001/2026. Therefore, the applicant be released on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents taken on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of dispute between the parties, material available in the case diary and the fact that complainant in the present case namely, Ankit Agrawal, against whom an FIR was lodged, has also moved an anticipatory bail application before this Court, which has been allowed today viz. MCRCA No.1338/2026 and that similarly situated co-accused person has already been released on anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 2.7.2026 passed in MCRCA No.1001/2026, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Anand Agrawal (Anand Krishna Agrawal), 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 5 size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which 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