1 2026:CGHC:5046 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 145 of 2026 Manisha Pradhan @ Manisha Gond W/o Shri Alok Swarnkar Aged About 36 Years R/o Near Tilak School, Chakradhar Nagar, Raigarh, District Raigarh, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Civil Lines, District Raipur, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Aman Tamboli, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, PL. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 29/01/2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending her arrest in connection with Crime No.649/2025 registered at Police Station – Civil Lines, Raipur, District Raipur, C.G. GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.01.30 18:35:04 +0530 2 for the offence punishable under Sections 336(2), 336(4), 340(2), 352, 353(1)(b), 353(2), 356(2) of the BNS, 2023. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that one Shri Amit Chimnani lodged the report alleging that on 02/12/2025 the Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai had gone to Boirdadar, Raigarh to attend the district level annual social conference and social building inauguration program. It is alleged that during this, while addressing the public, the CM had said that in the coming times, if youth of tribal society start their own business then they will be provided land at the rate of one rupee per acre. It is alleged that the applicant used her FaceBook social media account to tarnish the image of the CM and has added false facts showing as if the CM has said that the land will be provided at the rate of 1 Rs. per KG. It is alleged that the same video was also tampered with and edited and made viral from a facebook page called Bhupesh hai to bharosa hai. It is alleged that the applicant has done such act to disrepute the CM. Based on these allegations the FIR has been registered and the applicant is apprehending her arrest. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and she has been falsely implicated in this case. He would submit that the applicant has no criminal antecedents and she is a well-known political figure from a reputed family. It is submitted that the FIR has been lodged under political pressure to harass and coerce the applicant to join the ruling party and the allegations in the FIR are baseless. He would submit that the applicant is neither the creator nor the originator of the alleged video. He would submit that the applicant is a permanent resident of address mentioned in the cause title and there is no likelihood of her absconding and she undertakes to abide 3 by all conditions imposed by this Court, therefore, he submits that the present applicant is entitled to be released on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submission of learned counsel for the parties, materials available on record, considering the nature of allegation levelled against the applicant, further the fact that applicant being a lady and also considering the fact that investigation and trial are likely to take some time, therefore, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Manisha Pradhan @ Manisha Gond, on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, she shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) 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 from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) The applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The applicant shall appear before the trial Court on each 4 and every date given to her by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d) The applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of their adhaar card along with a coloured postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) The applicant shall not involve herself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice gouri