1 CGHC010331482026 2026:CGHC:38376 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No.1420 of 2026 Madhu Mahant W/o Kamlesh Das Mahant Aged About 29 Years R/o Village Devri, Tahsil Dipka, Distt. Korba, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Of Police Station Banki Mongra, Distt. Korba, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : None. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Sangharsh Pandey, G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 31.08.2026 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the Applicant who is apprehending her arrest in connection with Crime No.150/2026 registered at Police Station – Banki SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Digitally signed by SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Date: 2026.09.01 11:35:58 +0530 2 Mongra, District Korba (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of BNS. 2. As per the case of prosecution, the victim had earlier lodged an FIR against Sahil Kumar Mahant at Police Station Darri on 15.05.2026. It is alleged that thereafter, co-accused Ravindra Mohan Baghel, took Rs.1,50,000/- from the complainant on the pretext of helping his son in getting him out of the said case, out of which Rs.30,000/- was subsequently returned, while the remaining amount of Rs.1,20,000/- has not been returned. The case diary further reflects that the bank statement collected during investigation shows a deposit of Rs.50,000/- in the account of the present Applicant. Based on these allegations, the offences as mentioned above have been registered against the present Applicant. Hence, this application. 3. The Applicant has contended in the application that the allegations levelled against her are false and motivated by personal enmity and that there is no direct or cogent evidence connecting her with the alleged offence. It is submitted in the application that the Applicant is not named in the FIR and no prima facie case is made out against her for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. It is further submitted therein that co- 3 accused Ravindra Mohan Baghel has already been granted bail by the learned Sessions Court, Katghora, the Applicant is lady aged about 29 years, has no criminal antecedents and the trial is likely to take considerable time for its conclusion, therefore, she may be granted anticipatory bail. 4. Per contra, learned State Counsel opposes the bail application and submits that there are no previous criminal antecedents against the present Applicant. 5. Considering the grounds raised in the application, the material available in the case diary, the nature of allegations, the fact that the Applicant is a lady aged about 29 years, is not named in the FIR, has no previous criminal antecedents and co-accused Ravindra Mohan Baghel has already been granted bail by the learned Sessions Court, Katghora and further considering that the trial is likely to take considerable time for its conclusion, without further commenting anything on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered opinion that it is a fit case to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the Applicant. 6. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the Applicant – Madhu Mahant on executing a personal bond with one surety in the like sum 4 to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, she shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) The Applicant/s shall 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/her/them from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) The Applicant/s shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The Applicant/s shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him/her/them by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d)The Applicant/s and the surety shall submit a copy of his/her/their adhaar card along with a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e)The Applicant/s shall not involve himself/herself/themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Priya