1 CGHC010332072026 2026:CGHC:38369 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8010 of 2026 Yugal Nag S/o Late Kuber Nag Aged About 29 Years R/o Kodabhaat Kanker, Ps Kanker District- North Bastar, Kanker (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through S H O P S Kanker (C.G.) --- Non-Applicant(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Ankur Diwan, Advocate. For Non-Applicant(s) : Mr. S.S. Baghel, Govt. Advocate. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 31.08.2026 1. The applicant has filed this first bail application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 159/2026, registered at Police Station Kanker, District North Bastar Kanker (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 178, 179 and 180 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. As per the case of prosecution, on 13.05.2026, Sub-Inspector D.R. Sahu, posted at Police Station Kanker, received secret information to the effect that a person wearing a black-coloured pant and light green full-sleeved T-shirt and carrying a blue-coloured backpack ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.09.01 11:12:22 +0530 2 was present at New Bus Stand, Kanker and was carrying counterfeit currency notes with an intention to circulate/use the same as genuine Indian currency. Upon receipt of the said information, the police prepared the requisite proceedings and called independent witnesses namely Shravan Kumar and Omprakash Dewangan and apprised them of the secret information. Thereafter, the police party proceeded to the spot and found a person matching the description given by the informer. Upon being questioned, the said person disclosed his name as Yugal Nag, resident of Kodabhat, Kanker. After informing him about the secret information, his search was conducted in accordance with law. During the course of search, a blue-coloured bag allegedly in his possession was found containing several bundles of ₹500/- currency notes. The police allegedly recovered 11 bundles of ₹500/- notes along with certain notes printed on A-4 paper. Upon examination and comparison with genuine ₹500/- currency notes, the recovered notes were allegedly found to be counterfeit and lacking the requisite security features, including the security thread and other distinguishing features of genuine currency. The counterfeit currency notes were accordingly seized by the police. On the basis of the seizure and the report lodged by the police, Crime No. 159/2026 was registered against the applicant for the offences punishable under Sections 178, 179 and 180 of the B.N.S., 2023. The applicant was arrested on 13.05.2026 and, after completion of investigation, the charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court. 3 3. Learned counsel appearing for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is submitted that the applicant has not committed any offence as alleged against him and that there is no sufficient material collected during investigation to establish his involvement in the alleged offence. He further submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court and the applicant is in custody since 13.05.2026 and has no criminal antecedent. Learned counsel further submits that mere recovery of alleged counterfeit currency from the possession of the applicant, by itself, would not be sufficient to establish the guilt of the applicant unless the prosecution proves that the applicant had knowledge or reason to believe that the said currency notes were counterfeit and had the requisite intention to use or circulate the same as genuine and the trial is likely to take considerable time for its conclusion. Hence, it is prayed that the applicant may kindly be enlarged on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of bail and submits that currency notes amounting to ₹6,54,000/- were recovered and seized from the possession of the present applicant, which were prima facie found to be counterfeit. Therefore, looking to the nature and gravity of the offence and the prima facie material available against the applicant, he is not entitled to be released on bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have perused the material available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and 4 gravity of the allegations and the alleged recovery and seizure of counterfeit currency notes amounting to ₹6,54,000/- from the possession of the applicant and the prima facie material available on record, coupled with the fact that the issue regarding the applicant's knowledge that the said currency was counterfeit is a matter of evidence, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the applicant at this stage. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant namely Yugal Nag, involved in Crime No. 159/2026, registered at Police Station Kanker, District North Bastar Kanker (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 178, 179 and 180 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, 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 Abhishek