1 2026:CGHC:16442 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 526 of 2026 1 - Deva Sahu S/o Purushottam Sahu Aged About 35 Years R/o Patharra, P.S.- Chilphi, District- Mungeli (C.G.) 2 - Hari Prasad Sahu S/o Durga Prasad Aged About 70 Years R/o Patharra, P.S.- Chilphi, District- Mungeli (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer Chilphi District- Mungeli (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant(s) : Dr. Arpit Lall, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Samiksha Gupta, Panel Lawyer Hon’ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 09/04/2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicants, who are apprehending their arrest in connection with Crime No.17/2026 registered at Police Station – Chilphi, District-Mungeli for the offences punishable under Sections 106 of Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita 2023 and 135, 136 of the Electricity Act. VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2026.04.10 18:31:54 +0530 2 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that The deceased (Rekhram Bareth) has gone to get electricity installed in the new house of the applicant no.-1 (Deva Sahu). Deceased (Rekhram Bareth) who was sitting on the roof and fitting "laddu holder", got electrocuted at the same time. When he was taken to Community Health Centre, Lormi for treatment, the doctor declared him dead. Applicant Deva Sahu has stated in his statement that, he pulled wire from the meter installed in the Haller Mill of his Uncle (Bade Papa) Hari Prasad Sahu and connected it to the MCB of his house. Upon sending a report to the Junior Engineer, CSPDCL, Lormi, regarding the validity and illegality of the connections drawn by the applicant, a report was given regarding the drawn power line being an illegal connection. 3. Learned counsel for the applicants submit that applicants are innocent and they have falsely been implicated in the present case. It is further contended that the death of the deceased was a result of purely accidental electrocution during the course of his voluntary work and it cannot be attributed as a "rash or negligent act" of the applicants, because the deceased (Rekhram Bareth), was an electrician who climbed a roof to fit a laddu holder and any mishap happening during such technical work involves an element of personal risk assumed by the worker, and the applicants cannot be held liable for a tragic accident. He would submit that the applicant No.2 is aged about 70 years who has been unnecessarily dragged into the litigation. And 3 applicant No.2 is a legitimate and law-abiding electricity consumer holding a valid Industrial Service Connection, and the existence of a valid, high-load industrial connection in the name of the application No.2. He also submits that the investigation and trial are likely to take time, therefore, he submits that the present applicants are entitled to be released on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer and submits that there are no previous criminal antecedent against the present applicant but looking to the aforesaid offences they are not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, gravity of offence, also considering the fact that and submits that the deceased's death occurred entirely due to an accidental electric shock (electrocution) sustained during the course of his voluntary work, investigation and trial are likely to take time, age of the applicant No.2, who is age about 70 years, therefore, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicants. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant No.1 –Deva Sahu and applicant No.2 – Hari Prasad Sahu on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the 4 arresting Officer, he 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 and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d) The applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of his 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 himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice vaishali