1 CGHC010313682026 2026:CGHC:37782-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPCR No. 501 of 2026 Nargis Khan W/o Anwar Khan Aged About 30 Years R/o Pandey Para Nevai Basti Nilofar Kirana Dukan, Tehsil And District Durg (C.G.) ... Petitioner versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Principal Secretary, Department Of Home, Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, Naya Raipur, Atal Nagar (C.G.) Pin 492002 2 - The Collector, Balod, Distt, Balod (C.G.) 3 - The Superintendent Of Police, Balod, Distt, Balod (C.G.) 4 - Station House Officer, Police Station Balod, District Balod (C.G.) ---- Respondents (Cause title taken from Case Information System) For Petitioner : Mr. Avinash Chand Sahu, Advocate (through virtual mode) For Respondents/State : Mr. Soumya Rai, Deputy Govt. Advocate Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri R avindra Kumar Agrawal, Judge Order on Board VED PRAKASH DEWANGAN Digitally signed by VED PRAKASH DEWANGAN Date: 2026.08.25 22:13:29 +0530 2 Per Ramesh Sinha, C.J. 24/08/2026 1. Heard Mr. Avinash Chand Sahu, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr. Soumya Rai, learned Deputy Govt. Advocate for the respondents/State. 2. The petitioner has filed the present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a direction to the respondents to release, unlock and restore possession of her grocery shop situated at Nevai Basti, District Durg, which has been locked in connection with Crime No. 180/2025 registered at Police Station Balod. 3. The petitioner has filed the present petition seeking for the following reliefs: “10.1 That this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing the respondents to forthwith release, unlock and restore possession of the petitioner's grocery shop situated at Nevai Basti, Pandey Para, Tehsil and District Durg (C.G.), running in the name and style of "Nilofar Kirana Dukan", which has been illegally locked and retained by respondent No. 4 in connection with Crime No. 180/2025, and permit the petitioner to carry on her lawful business therefrom. 10.2 That this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing the respondents to pay compensation of ₹1,000,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) to the petitioner on account of the illegal and 3 arbitrary seizure and continued locking of her shop, resulting in loss of livelihood, financial loss and mental agony. 10.3 That this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to award the costs of the present writ petition. 10.4 That this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to pass such other or further order(s) as may be deemed fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.” 4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the registered proprietor of the grocery shop “Nilofar Kirana Dukan” and that the said shop has been locked/seized by the police in connection with Crime No. 180/2025 registered at Police Station Balod, although the petitioner is neither an accused in the said crime nor any criminal case has been registered against her. It is submitted that no order of attachment, confiscation or sealing, or any other statutory authority for retaining the shop, has been furnished to the petitioner. The petitioner, therefore, seeks appropriate relief for release and restoration of possession of the shop. 5. Learned State counsel appearing for the respondents opposes the petition and submits that the shop in question has been seized in connection with Crime No. 180/2025 registered at Police Station Balod during the course of investigation. It is submitted that the petitioner has an appropriate remedy to raise her grievance before the learned Trial Court concerned, which may consider the same in accordance with law. He, therefore, prays for dismissal of the present petition. 4 6. We have considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record. The grievance of the petitioner primarily relates to the locking/seizure of her grocery shop in connection with Crime No. 180/2025. Having regard to the nature of the grievance and the remedy available to the petitioner before the learned Trial Court concerned, we are of the view that the petitioner may avail the said remedy for redressal of her grievance in accordance with law. 7. Accordingly, the present writ petition is dismissed with liberty to the petitioner to approach the learned Trial Court concerned for redressal of her grievance. If such an application is filed, the same shall be considered and decided in accordance with law. Sd/- Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice ved