1 CGHC010352912026 2026:CGHC:40316 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1513 of 2026 1. Saraju Mehar S/o Gandaram Mehar Aged About 55 Years R/o Rampur, Patnagarh, Balangir, Odisha. ... Applicant versus 1. State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Pithora, Distt. Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Anuroop Panda, Advocate For Non-applicant : Mr. Sumit Singh, Dy. Advocate General SB: Hon’ble Mr. Parth Prateem Sahu, Judge Order on Board 15.09.2026 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.172/2026 registered at Police Station Pithora, District- Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318 (4), 338, 336 (3), 340 (2), 61 (2) & 3 (5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (for short ‘BNS’). SYED ROSHAN ZAMIR ALI Digitally signed by SYED ROSHAN ZAMIR ALI 2 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that on the basis of written complaint dated 04.07.2026 made by Forest Range Officer, Pithora, Distt. Mahasamund (C.G.) alleging that on 17.06.2026 a vehicle bearing Registration No.CG-07-CM- 5860 transporting approximately 23,350 kilograms of Khair wood was intercepted near Pithora and during inquiry, driver of the vehicle produced National Transit Pass System (NTPS) and No Objection Certificate bearing No. AP/KU/K/KU-160 dated 14.06.2026 issued by the Foresth Department Kurnool (AP). However, upon verification aforementioned documents were found forged and fabricated. Pursuant thereto, the concerned police has registered FIR against the applicant and other co-accused persons. 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 present applicant has neither been named in the FIR nor attributed any specific overtact to the applicant. The applicant has been roped in the offence on the basis of memorandum statements of other accused persons. Applicant does not have any criminal antecedent. Co-accused persons have already been released on anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA Nos.1289/2026, 1329/2026, 1376/2026, 1374/2026 and 1410/2026. Therefore, applicant be released 3 on bail. Case of applicant is on similar footing of those co- accused released on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. However, he does not dispute that there is no criminal antecedent against the applicant and further that the allegation against the applicant to be same as against co-accused released on bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly considering the allegations levelled against the applicant and the fact that co-accused has already been released on anticipatory bail by this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merit, I am inclined to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant anticipatory bail application is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Saraju Mehar, on his 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 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. 4 (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 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/- (Parth Prateem Sahu) Judge roshan/-