1 CGHC010377102026 2026:CGHC:42211 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1602 of 2026 1 - Balram Sahu S/o Shri Jonh Ram Sahu, Aged About 46 Years R/o Village Bohara, Post Sanaud, Police Station Sanaud, Tahsil - Gurur, District Balod (C.G.) ... Applicant Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police Station - Kotwali, District Rajnandgaon (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ravi Kumar Bodhani, Advocate (through video conferencing) along with Mr. Ankush Sori, Advocate For Non-Applicant : Mr. Sumit Singh, Dy. Advocate General S.B.: Hon'ble Shri Parth Prateem Sahu, Judge ORDER ON BOARD 28/09/2026 1. Applicant has preferred this application under Section 482 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of anticipatory bail as he apprehends his arrest in connection with Crime No. 130/2026 registered at Police Station- Kotwali District Rajnandgaon (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 108 and 3(5) of BNS, 2023. 2. Case of prosecution, in brief, is that Komal Sahu had consumed poison on 17.10.2025, he was taken to hospital where during course of treatment he died on 21.11.2025. After morgue enquiry, F.I.R. was 2 registered on 28.02.2026. Applicant was made accused based on the recovery of one suicidal note. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that deceased Komal Sahu has collected money from many persons for the purpose of investment including applicant and he handed over the money to one Aziz Khan, resident of Indore for investing it in share market. However, the invested money was not returned back and instead a cheque was issued. The cheque issued by the deceased was dishonored when submitted it in bank for its clearance, against which applicant has filed an application under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act before the court of competent jurisdiction and during pendency of this application, deceased committed suicide. He contended that even if the allegation is taken to be correct that the applicant was demanding money, it was not under threat but the money which was handed over by applicant to deceased for investment was only being demanded and therefore no offence as alleged would be made out against applicant. He also submitted that the case of the applicant is identical to that of the other co-accused person who have been extended the benefit of anticipatory bail in MCRC No. 1455/2026 and MCRC No. 1587/2026. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the submission of counsel for applicant and would submit that in the suicidal note, there is mention that the deceased has repaid double the amount which the applicant has handed over to deceased. However, upon putting query to learned State counsel with regard to the contents of suicidal note, he submits that from perusal of suicidal note it appears that deceased has collected money towards investment from many persons and the persons who handed over the money were pressuring him for its return. However, he do not oppose the submission made by the counsel for the applicant 3 that the allegation against the applicant is also similar to that of the co- accused persons who have been granted anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 6. On due consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegation, submission of learned counsel for the parties, without commenting anything on merits, the similarly situated co-accused persons have also been granted anticipatory bail in M.Cr.C. No. 1455/2026 and M.Cr.C. No. 1587/2026, I am inclined to allow this anticipatory bail application. 7. Accordingly, application is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of applicant in connection with the crime in question (130/2026), he shall be released on anticipatory bail by the Officer arresting him on his executing a personal bond in the sum of ₹25,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned arresting Officer. Applicant shall also abide by the following conditions: (i) that the applicant shall make himself available for interrogation before the Investigation Officer as and when required; (ii) that the applicant 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 from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer; (iii) that the applicant shall not act, in any manner, which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial; and (iv) that the applicant shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Parth Prateem Sahu) Dey Judge SHUBHAM DEY Digitally signed by SHUBHAM DEY