1 2026:CGHC:6629 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 10172 of 2025 Manish Kumar Verma S/o Gajanand Verma Aged About 22 Years R/o Durga Nagar, Behind Prakash Hojiyari P.O. Devendra Nagar, District - Raipur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. City Kotwali, Raipur (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Shauryabhinandan Thakur, Mr. Ashish Pandey Advocate and Mr. Harshmander Rastogi, Advocate. (through video-conferecing). For Non-Applicant/State : Dr. Saurabh Kumar Pandey, Deputy Advocate General. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 05.02 .2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 45/2025, registered at Police Station- City Kotwalil, District - Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 317(5) and 111 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The case of the prosecution, the present case arises out of FIR No. 45/2025 registered at Police Station Cyber Range Police Station, Raipur, under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 317(5), and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alleging involvement of certain individuals in financial transactions through suspected mule accounts of Kotak Mahindra Bank, PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.02.06 17:29:10 +0530 2 Raipur branch. The FIR was based on information received from the Cyber Crime Portal and National Helpline number 1930 of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, regarding alleged cyber fraud reported by a total of 68 acknowledgement number of applicants through online report of being cyber fraud. Further investigation of the case is being the conducted by the Range Cyber Police Station on instructions of the Inspector General of Police, Raipur. Information was taken from the concerned bank regarding the mule account in the case. During investigation, among other accused, the applicant, Manish Kumar Verma, was found to be the holder of account number 3348857312, which was allegedly used for suspicious transactions. The alleged misuse of his account appears to have occurred without his knowledge or active participation. The applicant has no prior criminal record, is a law-abiding citizen, and a permanent resident of Raipur with strong family and social ties. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the case. It is further submitted that the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents and the applicant only provides services as taxi driver in Raipur, the applicant has no involvement in the present case since the alleged bank account has been opened and operated by other individuals. Further, the co-accused, namely Ayush Jethani has already been enlarged on bail by the Hon'ble Supreme Court vide order dated 08.01.2026 in Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 20651/2025. In view of the principle of parity, the charge-sheet has been filed and he is in jail since 01.05.2025, learned counsel prays that the applicant may also be enlarged on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed in the case; however, he 3 could not dispute the fact that the co-accused have been granted bail by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that the charge-sheet has been filed against the applicant, and further the fact that the co-accused, namely Ayush Jethani has already been enlarged on bail by the Hon'ble Supreme Court vide order dated 08.01.2026 in Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 20651/2025, further the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents, the charge-sheet has been filed and he is in jail since 01.05.2025, hence this Court is of the considered view that, on the ground of parity, the present applicant also deserves to be released on bail. 7. Let applicant - Manish Kumar Verma, involved in Crime No. 45/2025, registered at Police Station- City Kotwalil, District - Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 317(5) and 111 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his 4 counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/-- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti