1 CGHC010369832026 2026:CGHC:42592 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 9231 of 2026 1 - Ajay Kumar Maravi S/o Shri Dhur Singh Maravi, Aged About 40 Years R/o Village Ghasipur P.S. Ratanpur District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through - S.H.O. Circle Forest Ratanpur District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Nikhil Kumar Pandey, Advocate For Non-applicant : Mr. Varunendra Mishra, Panel Lawyer SB: Hon'ble Shri Parth Prateem Sahu, Judge ORDER ON BOARD 30/09/2026 1. This is the second bail application. The first bail application was dismissed as withdrawn vide order dated 08.09.2026 in M.Cr.C. No. 8274/2026. 2. This second bail application is filed by the applicant under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with POR No. 17774/08 registered at Circle Forest – Ratanpur, District – Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh for the offences punishable under Sections 2 (16) (b), 9, 50, 51 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 2 3. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the Police of Forest Range Ratanpur, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) received information from the Cyber Cell that in social media video present applicant was allegedly found teasing a Large Bengal Monitor Lizard (Varanus Bengalensis) inside Sagoun Plantation, Ghasipur. Upon receiving information, officials of Forest Department reached on the spot and arrested the present applicant. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that applicant is innocent, he has been falsely implicated in the crime. He has not committed any offence as alleged. He submits that the applicant has only prepared video and have not played or touched the wild life. There is no other criminal antecedent against the applicant. Charge-sheet has been filed the other co-accused persons have been enlarged on bail. Hence, he may also be enlarged on bail. 5. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the submission made by counsel for the applicant. However, upon asking, he submits that there is no other criminal antecedent against the applicant for alleged commission of offence under Section 36 (f) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act and the other co-accused persons have been enlarged on bail in MCRC No. 8680/2026 vide order dated 28.09.2026. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the respective parties and perused the documents filed along with the bail application. 7. Taking into consideration, facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegations, submission of learned counsel for the respective parties, charge-sheet has been filed, co-accused persons have been enlarged on bail in MCRC No. 8680/2026, documents enclosed along with the bail application, trial is likely to take sometime, without commenting anything on merits of the case, I am inclined to allow this application for grant of bail. 3 8. Accordingly, the bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is allowed and it is directed that applicant shall be released on bail upon his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of Trial Court concerned on the conditions that: (a) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed 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. (b) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (c) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial andin order to secure her presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (d) The applicant 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. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Certified copy as per rules. Sd/- (Parth Prateem Sahu) Judge Dey SHUBHAM DEY Digitally signed by SHUBHAM DEY