1 2026:CGHC:16162 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 507 of 2026 Sandeep Sharma S/o Jugal Kishor Sharma Aged About 42 Years R/o - M.I.G. / 27, Nehru Nagar, Ward No. 18, Police Station - Civil Line, Rampur, Korba, District- Korba, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Aarakshi Kendra, Balco Nagar, Korba, District- Korba, (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Kaushal Yadav, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Nitansh Jaiswal, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 08.04.2026 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 his arrest in connection with Crime No. 300/2025 registered at Police Station – Balco Nagar, Korba, District- Korba, (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Section 420, 468, 471, 120(B) & 34 of the IPC. VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.04.09 10:53:28 +0530 2 2. The prosecution story in brief is that the main accused, namely Pawan Agrawal, along with his associates, allegedly sold a parcel of land to the complainant on 07.04.2023, for which the complainant paid an advance amount of Rs. 2,00,000/-. Thereafter, when the complainant approached the main accused for execution and registration of the sale deed, the registration was repeatedly delayed and ultimately not executed. Upon further inquiry, the complainant came to know that the accused persons had allegedly forged the land records and falsely represented the actual owner of the land as deceased. It is further alleged that the present applicant had signed the documents as an identifying witness/person. Subsequently, the complainant lodged a complaint before the learned Court below, upon which cognizance was taken and an F.I.R. was registered against the applicant. The applicant allegedly came to know about the registration of the F.I.R. through a newspaper publication. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. It is further submitted that the applicant has not committed any offence and no direct allegations have been levelled against him by the complainant. The only allegation against the applicant is that he had signed certain land-related documents, which is specifically denied by the applicant, as according to him, his signatures have been forged. It is further submitted that the applicant has already given his statement on oath in support of the actual owner of the land. The complainant has merely tried to give a criminal colour to what is essentially a civil dispute. The applicant was neither a party to the agreement to sell nor did he receive any amount from the complainant. There is no material available on record to 3 connect the applicant with the alleged offence. It is further submitted that if the applicant is arrested in this false and fabricated case, he shall suffer irreparable loss and injury to his reputation. The applicant is the sole breadwinner of his family and, in his absence, the family would suffer severe economic hardship. No criminal antecedent has been reported against the applicant till date and he is ready and willing to cooperate in the investigation. It is also submitted that the main accused, namely Pawan Agrawal, has already been granted protection by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The applicant had earlier preferred an anticipatory bail application before the Court below, which was dismissed as not pressed on account of default and not on merits, whereafter the applicant has preferred the present fresh application. The applicant is a permanent resident of the address mentioned in the cause title and is ready to furnish adequate surety and abide by all the terms and conditions that may be imposed by this Hon’ble Court. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the anticipatory bail application of the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions advanced by learned counsel for both parties, the nature of the dispute, and the material available on record, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant has made out a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail. 4 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Sandeep Sharma, on executing a personal bond and one local surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) he 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) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) he 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) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE vaibhav