1 CGHC010333202026 2026:CGHC:38356 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 7976 of 2026 Rajkumar Patel S/o Reshamlal Patel Aged About 42 Years R/o Village - Barekel, Police Station - Basna, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police Station Basna, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Dhirendra Prasad Mishra, Advocate. For Respondent(s) : Mr. S.S. Baghel, Government Advocate. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 31.08.2026 1. This is the second bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 163/2024 registered at Police Station Basna, District : Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 409, 34 of IPC. AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN Digitally signed by AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN 2 2. As per the prosecution case, during the procurement season from 01.11.2020 to 30.01.2021, paddy was purchased by the Primary Krishi Sakha Sahkari Samiti Maryadit, Pirda, wherein shortage of paddy was detected during departmental verification. Pursuant thereto, an enquiry committee was constituted, which submitted its report holding that the shortage had occurred on account of lack of supervision by the present applicant, who was working as a Salesman, along with other employees engaged in procurement of paddy. Thereafter, a newly appointed Prescribed Officer of the Society filed an application under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C., on the basis of which, in compliance of the order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund registered Crime No.163/2024 against seven accused persons, including the present applicant, for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 409 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. It is alleged that the present case pertains to the embezzlement of approximately Rs.4,45,00,000/- relating to paddy procurement. The applicant was arrested on 08.06.2026 and, till date, additional charge-sheet has not been filed and the investigation is still in progress. Hence, the bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the first bail application of the applicant was rejected by this Court on merits vide order dated 23.07.2026, therefore this second bail application is filed on the ground that since one co-accused, Smt. Pallavi Meshram has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide 3 order dated 01.05.2024 in MCRCA No.433 of 2024 and one co- accused, Shivnath Patel has been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 04.11.2025 in MCRC No.8065 of 2025, further the charge-sheet has already been filed in the present case and the applicant is in jail since 08.06.2026, hence, he prays for releasing the applicant on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of bail and submits that the applicant has been specifically named in the FIR and is one of the principal accused persons in a serious case involving embezzlement of approximately Rs.4,45,00,000/-. It is further submitted that the applicant remained absconding since 27.03.2024 and was arrested only on 08.06.2026, further the case of present applicant is clearly distinguished from that of the co-accused persons, who have been granted bail as he remained absconding for more than two years and his role is materially different, as such, the bail application of the applicant is liable to be rejected. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. From perusal of the records, it transpires that this is the second bail application of the applicant and first bail application of the applicant was rejected by this Court vide order dated 23.07.2026 in MCRC No. 5873 of 2026 on the ground that allegations against the applicant involved an alleged embezzlement of approximately 4 Rs.4.45 crores in connection with procurement of paddy by the concerned Cooperative Society, the enquiry report prima facie attributed financial irregularities and lack of supervision to the applicant, the applicant had remained absconding for a considerable period and was arrested only on 08.06.2026, and the investigation was still in progress. The ground that certain co- accused have been granted bail does not entitle the present applicant to parity, as the said ground has already been considered at the time of deciding the first bail application of the applicant, hence there appears to be no new ground to entertain the present second bail application of the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the second bail application of the applicant - Rajkumar Patel, involved in Crime No. 163/2024 registered at Police Station Basna, District : Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 409, 34 of IPC, is rejected. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 9. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Akhil