1 CGHC010268072026 2026:CGHC:40797 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR CRA No. 1754 of 2026 1 - Balram Chakradhari @ Bablu S/o Late Lileshwar Aged About 50 Years R/o Village Doundi, Police Station Doundi, District Balod C.G. ... Appellant(s) versus 1 - The State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Doundi, District Balod C.G. ... Respondent(s) For Appellant : Mr. Amit Kumar Sahu, Advocate For State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order on Board 18.09.2026 1. The appellant has preferred this Criminal Appeal under Section 14-A(2) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 for setting aside of order dated 23.06.2026 passed by the learned Special Judge SC & ST (P.A.) Act, Balod District Balod and for grant of bail to the appellant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 0061/2026, registered at Police Station- Doundi, District Balod (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 296, 351(3) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 3-1(r) & 3(1)(s) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Digitally signed by JYOTI JHA Date: 2026.09.21 12:47:08 +0530 2 2. In pursuance of the order dated 20.07.2026, vide order dated 07.09.2026 the complainant appeared before this Court through virtual mode from DLSA Balod and he has raised objection for grant of bail to the appellant. 3. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 12.11.2025, a written complaint was lodged by the complainant against the present appellant alleging that on 11.11.2025, at around 7:00 A.M., when he went to his shop, the present appellant abused the complainant party by referring to his caste, i.e. Scheduled Tribe, in a public place. On the basis of the said report, the police registered an FIR against the appellant. 4. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that the allegations levelled against the present appellant are false and baseless. He further submits that after completion of investigation, the charge-sheet has already been filed and the appellant is in jail since 05.05.2026. He, therefore, prays for grant of bail to the appellant. 5. Ms. Ankita Shukla, learned Panel Lawyer appearing for the State, would submit that there are serious allegations against the present appellant, as he abused a member of the Scheduled Tribe community in a public place. Therefore, the appeal filed by the appellant deserves to be rejected. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary and the documents taken on record. 7. Having considered the gravity of the accusation, the fact that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the appellant is in jail since 05.05.2026 and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, and considering that the trial is likely to take some time, this 3 Court finds it appropriate to grant bail to the appellant. 8. Let the appellant be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond of with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions : (i) The appellants shall ile an undertaking to the effect that they shall not seek any adjournment on the dates ixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The appellants shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through their counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him/her under Section 269 of BNS, 2023. (iii) In case, the appellants misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure their presence, proclamation under Section 84 of the BNSS, 2023 is issued and the appellants fail to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him/her, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of BNS, 2023. (iv) The appellants shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS, 2023. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the appellants is deliberate or without suicient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him/her in accordance with law. Sd/- (Rakesh Mohan Pandey) JUDGE Jyoti