1 2026:CGHC:8716 HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 1072 of 2026 Lalit Verma S/o Late Shri Tukaram Verma Aged About 22 Years R/o Village Thakurdev Chowk Sudela Balodabazar, Thana and Tahsil - Balodabazar, Distt. Balodabazar-Bhatapara Chhattisgarh … Applicant versus The State of Chhattisgarh through Station House Officer, Police Station - Pamgarh, Distt. Janjgir-Champa Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For the applicant : Mr. Sunil Sahu, Advocate For the State : Mr. Tarkeshwar Nande, Panel Lawyer (Hon’ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Order on Board 18.02.2026 1. This is first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant in Crime No.302/2025 registered at Police Station Pamgarh, District Janjgir Champa (CG) for the offences under Sections 137(2), 87, 64(2), 65(1) of BNS and sections 4 & 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that on 03.07.2025 a report was lodged by mother of victim aged about 14 years and 07 months ALLENA ANNAJEE RAO Digitally signed by ALLENA ANNAJEE RAO Date: 2026.02.23 15:59:15 +0530 2 that her daughter was missing since 01.07.2025 and an unknown person allured and taken her away from their lawful custody. On the basis of such report, crime was registered and during investigation, the victim was recovered from the possession of applicant on 28.11.2025 when they were working in other State. The applicant was arrested on 29.11.2025. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the victim herself had voluntarily accompanied the applicant, visited many places with him and did not raise any alarm at any place, therefore, she was consenting party. He submits that in the statement recorded u/s 183 BNSS, she has not supported the prosecution case and she has stated that she left the house on her own will. He submits that the applicant is in jail since 29.11.2025 and there is no immediate possibility of disposal of case, therefore, he may be enlarged on bail. 4. Per contra, learned State Counsel opposes the bail application and submits that at the time of incident, the victim was minor. He submits that the trial has not yet commenced, therefore, bail should not be granted to the applicant at this stage. 5. The victim along with her mother has appeared through VC from the concerned DLSA and the mother has expressed no-objection to grant bail. 6. Having considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and looking to the overall facts situation of the case especially the fact that the trial has not yet commenced, I am not inclined to release him on regular bail at this stage. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is rejected. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Judge Rao