1 CGHC010363362026 2026:CGHC:42618 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1562 of 2026 1 - Dr. Sant Kumar Namdev (In Person) S/o Late Sunni Lal Namdev, Aged about 42 years, Working as Deputy Manager (MMGS - II), State Bank Of India, Regional Business Office (RBO) Dharampura Road, Jagdalpur, District Bastar (C.G.) ... Applicant versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Kotwali, Jagdalpur, District Bastar (C.G.) ... Respondent (Cause title is taken from CIS) For Applicant : Dr. Sant Kumar Namdev (in person) appears through video conferencing For State/Respondent : Mr. Avinash Singh, G.A. For Objector : Mr. Arpit Agrawal, Advocate Hon’ble Shri Justice Parth Prateem Sahu Order on Board 30/09/2026 1. Applicant has preferred First bail 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. RAVI SHANKAR MANDAVI Digitally signed by RAVI SHANKAR MANDAVI 2 372/2026 registered at Police Station- Kotwali, Jagdalpur, District Bastar (C.G.) for offence punishable under Sections 74, 75(2) and 78 of BNS. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that complainant has lodged report in the concerned police station on 29.08.2026 alleging that when she stopped near the vegetable market at Gugugovind trisect the applicant came to him and stated to make relationship with him. She has also alleged that the applicant is continuously staking her. She also stated that on 28.08.2026 at about 06:00 p.m. applicant came to her house also with bad intention. Applicant openly abusing in front of her house. Based on the report lodged by the complainant aforementioned crime is registered. Applicant apprehends his arrest in connection with the aforementioned crime number. 3. Applicant in person would submits that the applicant is innocent, not involved in alleged commission of offences and he has been falsely implicated in the crime in question. Complainant is Manager in State Bank of India in which the applicant is also working as Deputy Manager. Applicant has lodged a report against the complainant as also one N. Prem Kumar, employee of State Bank of India on 25.11.2025, on which the FIR was registered for alleged commission of offence under Sections 296, 351(2) and 3(5) of BNS. On the alleged date of incident he was also returning after the court proceedings of the said criminal 3 case. He also pointed out that levelling same allegations, a complaint was made in the department and the Internal Committee had closed the compliant proceedings observing that the evidence brought on record was insufficient to demonstrate sexually coloured remarks, demand or request of sexual favour, showing or sharing of pornography or any other specific verbal, physical or non-verbal conduct having a demonstrable sexual character and have further observed that the allegation against the respondent can not be held to be proved. Applicant is an employee of the State Bank of India and there is no likelihood of his absconding, therefore the benefit of anticipatory bail will be extended to him. 4. Learned State counsel opposes the submission of learned counsel for applicant and submits that there is specific allegation made by the complainant that on the alleged date of incident in the market area, applicant came to her, caught hold of her hand and has made demand of sexual favour with her. He also contended that based on the report, crime is registered. There is prima facie allegation against the applicant. 5. Learned counsel for the objector would oppose the submission made by applicant in person and submits that the applicant is habitual in staking and making demand of sexual favour time and again. Earlier the complainant and the applicant residing in the same society, upon looking to the conduct and the activities of the 4 applicant, she left the society and shifted to another area. However, there also the applicant visits time and again with ill intention and he had also handed over the video to the police of the applicant present in that area in front of her house gate. He also contended that the incident which is treated to be reported on 25.11.2025 was earlier reported by the complainant to the higher officials in the department. Considering the complainant submission that the complainant along with other are facing the criminal case based on the report lodged by the applicant which is pending for consideration before concerned trial Court. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 7. From the submission made by learned counsel for the respective parties and documents enclosed with application that the complainant and the applicant are the employees of State Bank of India and are posted in the same branch. Earlier there was some dispute between the parties upon which, as per the submission of the applicant he has lodged report in the concerned police station based upon which the criminal case is pending in the Court of competent jurisdiction. The allegation based on which the FIR subject matter of this bail application is registered, is that the applicant in the day light, in the market area i.e. public place has caught hold of hand of the complainant and asked for sexual favour and according to submission of the applicant the date of allegation fixed for proceedings before the concerned Court in the 5 criminal case registered is on the complaint of the applicant. This Court when the case came up for first date of hearing i.e. on 21.09.2026 had granted ad-interim anticipatory bail to the applicant. 8. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegation, submission of learned counsel for the parties, further applicant is an employee of the State Bank of India, findings of Internal Committee report and there is no likelihood of his absconding, without commenting anything on merits, I am inclined to allow this anticipatory bail application. 9. Accordingly, application is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of applicant in connection with the aforementioned crime number, 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 6 (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. 10. 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) JUDGE Ravi Mandavi