1 2026:CGHC:16724 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 531 of 2026 Dharanidhar Patel S/o. Shri Mohan Lal Patel Aged About 35 Years R/o. Vill.- Ward No. 10, Saraipali, Mahasamund, Distt.- Mahasamund (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through- S.H.O., P.S. Kasdol, Distt.- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant : Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Dr. Sourabh Kumar Pandey, Dy. A.G. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 10/04/2026 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 433/2025 registered at Police Station – Kasdol, District- 2 Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 318(4), 316(5), 318(3), 3(5), 111 of BNS, 2023. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that the complainant, namely Chhedilal Sahu lodged a written complaint, alleging that main accused namely, Ramnarayan Sahu, Anita Sahu and others lured him by promising extraordinary returns (doubling or tripling the investment within a year) through the stock market on such assurance the complainant invested total sum of Rs. 39,10,000/-. The present applicant was not named in the FIR but was made an accused only on the basis of the memorandum of the co-accused (Chandraprakash). On the basis of which a crime was registered against the main accused Ramnarayan Sahu and others by P.S. Kasdol, Balodabazar, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) bearing Crime No. 433/2025 under Sections 318(4), 316(5), 318(3), 111, 3(5) of BNS, 2023. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated. He would submit that the present applicant has been made accused solely on the basis of the memorandum of co-accused (Chandraprakash). He would submit that the co-accused Chandraprakash has been granted regular bail by this Court in MCRC No. 1950/2026 on 13.03.2026, co-accused Smt. Shashi Sahu has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 58/2026 on 13.01.2026 and also co- accused Ranu Dhruw has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 159/2026 on 02.02.2026. It is further 3 submitted that the applicant is a permanent resident of address mentioned in the cause title and there is no likelihood of absconding, therefore, he submits that the present applicant is entitled to be released on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the application on the ground that the offence is serious in nature involving large- scale financial fraud and therefore the applicant is not entitled to anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. Upon perusal of the case diary, it appears that the involvement of the applicant is primarily based on the memorandum statement of a co-accused. At this stage, no independent material is brought on record to prima facie establish that the applicant was an active participant in the alleged organized fraud. It is also a relevant consideration that the applicant claims to have invested a substantial amount, which prima facie indicates that he may also be a victim of the alleged scheme. The veracity of this claim is a matter of trial. It is settled law that custodial interrogation should not be resorted to as a matter of course, particularly when the implication is based on weak or limited material and the applicant undertakes to cooperate in the investigation. 7. Considering the nature of allegations, the material available on record, in totality of circumstances, particularly considering the nature of accusation, the stage of investigation and the settled 4 principles governing grant of anticipatory bail, this Court is of the opinion that it is a fit case to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 8. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Dharanidhar Patel, on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the 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 5 offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Madhurima