1 CGHC010359842026 2026:CGHC:42230 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8596 of 2026 Rangan A S/o Amarnaadan Aged About 56 Years R/o Ramji Nagar, P.S. Ramji Nagar, Distt- Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu). ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer (S.H.O.) P.S. Ganj, Distt- Raipur (C.G.). ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Shalvin Sharma, Advocate For Non-Applicant : Mr. Sourabh Sahu, Panel Lawyer Hon’ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order on Board 28/09/2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) for grant of regular bail to the applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 09/2026 registered at Police Station Ganj, District Raipur (C.G.) for offences punishable under Sections 305(c), 112(2), 324(5), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 12.01.2026 at about 05:45 PM, the complainant along with his brother-in-law went to Apollo Diagnostic Clinic in his car bearing registration No. CG-04-PI-9909 and parked the vehicle on the roadside in front of the clinic. When they returned at about 06:20 PM, they found the rear window glass of the 2 driver's side broken. A grey laptop bag containing Rs. 10,00,000/- in cash, an old HP laptop, a used Samsung tablet, and a Sony external hard disk, along with a black sling bag containing five debit and credit cards kept on the back seat, were found missing. Upon examining CCTV footage, 4 to 5 persons were seen around the vehicle, one of whom broke the glass and committed theft of the bags. On the report of the complainant, Crime No. 09/2026 was registered. During the course of investigation, the applicant was implicated and arrested on 17.01.2026. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the crime in question. The FIR was lodged against unknown persons, and no Test Identification Parade (TIP) was conducted to establish the identity of the applicant. It is further submitted that though there is one previous criminal antecedent of the year 2026 registered against the applicant, investigation has already been completed, charge-sheet has been filed on 16.03.2026, and the applicant is languishing in jail since 17.01.2026. The conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time; therefore, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the applicant was involved in breaking open the car window and committing theft of cash and electronic articles, and he has one previous criminal antecedent under Sections 303(2), 324(2), and 3(5) of the BNS. Therefore, he is not entitled to be released on bail. However, he does not dispute the fact that charge-sheet has already been filed on 16.03.2026. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations, particularly that the FIR was lodged against unknown persons, the applicant is in custody since 17.01.2026, investigation has already been completed and charge-sheet has been 3 filed on 16.03.2026, and trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion, without further commenting on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to release the applicant on bail. 7. Accordingly, the application is allowed. 8. It is directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court, he shall be released on bail, on following conditions :- (i) he 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 from disclosing such fact to the Court, (ii) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial, and (iii) he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. The observation made hereinabove is for the purpose of deciding this bail application only, the trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits. Sd/- Rakesh Mohan Pandey JUDGE Nadim