1 2026:CGHC:18986 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 618 of 2026 1 - Manoj Sahu S/o Ramlakhan Sahu Aged About 23 Years R/o Village- Targawan, P.S. And Tahsil- Patna, District - Korea (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of C.G. Through Station House Officer Baikunthpur P.S., District - Korea (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Tarendra Kumar Jha, Advocate along with Tapan Kumar Chandra, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer Hon’ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 24/04/2026 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.412/2025 registered at Police Station – Baikhuntpur District- Korea (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 308(2) & 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nayay Sanhita, 2023. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 20.12.2025, the complainant, Amresh Kumar Pandey, alleged that an unknown ABHIGYA SAXENA Digitally signed by ABHIGYA SAXENA Date: 2026.04.25 20:28:32 +0530 2 person contacted him via WhatsApp, sent a video clip, and threatened to make it viral while demanding Rs.2.50 lakhs for its deletion. On the following day, he was again contacted and directed to deliver the money at Bachra Pondi. Acting on the complaint, the police laid a trap, and when the complainant left the money at the instructed location, one person, namely Arjun Sahu, was apprehended while collecting it. During interrogation, he disclosed the name of the present applicant, Manoj Sahu, as his accomplice. Consequently, FIR was registered for offences relating to threat and blackmail. Hence this anticipatory bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated, as the prosecution case is unsupported by any cogent or reliable evidence. It is contended that no incriminating material, electronic device, or technical evidence links the applicant to the alleged WhatsApp calls, video, or VPN number, and the alleged video clip itself has not been produced, rendering the case doubtful. It is further submitted that no monetary transaction has taken place, the alleged recovery is doubtful, and the memorandum of the co-accused is inadmissible in evidence. It is also urged that the charge-sheet has been filed without due compliance of statutory provisions and that the applicant is not absconding. It is submitted that the co-accused has already been granted bail by this Court in MCRC No.2291 of 3 2026 decided on 11.03.2026, and therefore, the applicant is also entitled to anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the applicant is involved in a serious offence of threatening and blackmailing the complainant for the purpose of extorting Rs. 2,50,000/-. It is submitted that the applicant, along with the co-accused, made WhatsApp calls to the complainant and sent a video clip threatening to make it viral on social media unless the demanded amount was paid. It is further submitted that acting upon the instructions given through WhatsApp and VPN number, the complainant kept the money at the place directed by the accused near a Mahua tree on the Bachra–Baima road, where Arjun Sahu came to collect the money and was apprehended by the police on the spot. It is also submitted that during inquiry he disclosed the involvement of present applicant who is the main accused and therefore considering the nature and gravity of the offence as well as the role attributed to the applicant, the applicant is not entitled to the benefit of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations, particularly the accusation of threatening and blackmailing the complainant for extortion of a 4 substantial amount, and taking into account the material available on record, including the involvement attributed to the applicant on the basis of disclosure made by the co-accused, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the anticipatory bail application of the applicant – Manoj Sahu, filed under Section 482 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 involved in Crime No.412/2025 registered at Police Station – Baikhuntpur District- Korea (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 308(2) & 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nayay Sanhita, 2023, is rejected. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Saxena