1 CGHC010382062026 2026:CGHC:43163 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 9272 of 2026 1 - Rajkumar Patel S/o Reshmlal Patel Aged About 42 Years R/o Village Barekel Police Station Basna District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer Police Station Basna District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh. ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Dhirendra Prasad Mishra, Advocate For Non-applicant : Mr. Kawaljeet Singh Saini, Dy. GA For Complainant : Mr. Akash Shrivastava, Advocate Hon’ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order On Board 06.10.2026 1) This is the Second bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 163/2024 registered at Police Station Basna, District- Mahasamund REKHA SINGH Digitally signed by REKHA SINGH DN: cn=REKHA SINGH, ou=HIGH COURT, o=HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH, st=Chhattisgarh, c=IN Date: 2026.10.06 14:22:30 +0530 2 (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 409 and 34 of IPC. Earlier first bail application of the applicant bearing MCRC No.5873 of 2026 was rejected on merits vide order dated 23.07.2026. 2) As per the prosecution case, shortage of paddy was detected during procurement at Primary Krishi Sakha Sahkari Samiti Maryadit, Pirda, which was attributed to lack of supervision by the applicant, a Salesman. Pursuant to an order under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C., Crime No. 163/2024 was registered against the applicant and six others for alleged embezzlement of approximately Rs.4.45 crore. Thereafter, the applicant was arrested in connection with the afore-stated offence. Hence, the present bail application. 3) Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the present case, as no specific overt act is attributed to him. It is submitted that he was merely working as a Salesman and was arrested on 08.06.2026 after rejection of his anticipatory bail application. It is contended that earlier first bail application of the applicant was rejected on merits in MCRC No. 5873 of 2026. He would further submit that the applicant is in jail since 08.06.2026 and the trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of bail to the present applicant. 4) On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the applicant is one of the main accused in the alleged embezzlement of approximately Rs.4.45 crore and remained absconding from 27.03.2024 till his arrest on 08.06.2026. He would contend that the first bail application of the applicant was rejected on merits and there is no substantial change in circumstances warranting 3 reconsideration of the prayer for bail. Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to be enlarged on bail. 5) I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6) Having considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and having perused the case diary, this Court has taken into consideration the fact that the applicant remained absconding for a period of more than two years, i.e., from 27.03.2024 till his arrest on 08.06.2026. This Court has also taken note of the role attributed to the applicant in the alleged commission of the offence involving embezzlement of approximately Rs.4.45 crore. Further, the first bail application of the applicant was rejected on merits by a detailed order passed in M.Cr.C. No. 5873 of 2026. The applicant has not been able to demonstrate any substantial change in circumstances or any new ground warranting reconsideration of the view already taken by this Court. 7) Considering the gravity and nature of the allegations, the conduct of the applicant in remaining absconding for a considerable period, the role attributed to him, and the fact that the investigation is still in progress, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the present applicant. Accordingly, the bail application is rejected. Sd/- (Rakesh Mohan Pandey) JUDGE Rekha