1 2026:CGHC:18981 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3727 of 2026 Ravi Banjara S/o Shri Kartik Banjara Aged About 25 Years R/o Village- Alola, Thana- Kapu, Distt.- Raigarh (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station - Lailunga, Distt.- Raigarh (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Rajendra Patel, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/States : Mr. Saurabh Sahu, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 24.04.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Nyay Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.44/2022, registered at Police Station - Lailunga, District - Raigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 457, 380, 511 and 34 of Indian Penal Code. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that the Branch Manager lodged a report against unknown persons, stating that when the siren sounded, he and other staff members went to the spot and found that some unknown persons had entered the State Bank of India branch at Lailunga at midnight on 18.02.2022. The accused persons committed house trespass by night, broke the door of the system room, entered it, damaged the PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.04.25 19:42:54 +0530 2 CCTV, broke the lock of the strong room, and attempted to commit theft. However, no monetary loss was caused. On the basis of the said report, the police station registered the offence, and after completion of the investigation, submitted the charge-sheet on 02.09.2023, declaring the applicant absconding. When the applicant came to know about the case, he immediately surrendered before the learned trial Court. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that although a permanent arrest warrant had been issued against the applicant, he has voluntarily surrendered before the Court on 18.03.2026. It is also submitted that in another case, the accused persons were arrested after a considerable delay of about one year and have been granted bail by the competent Court. It is further submitted that the applicant has two previous criminal antecedents. The charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant is in judicial custody since 18.03.2026, and the trial is likely to take a considerable time to conclude. In view of the aforesaid circumstances, it is therefore prayed that this Court may be pleased to release the applicant on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application and submits that the name of the applicant surfaced in the memorandum statement of the co-accused persons. It is further submitted that a permanent arrest warrant was issued against the applicant in the year 2023 in connection with the present case, which pertains to the year 2022. Learned counsel further submits that the applicant surrendered on 18.03.2026 and that he is involved in two other cases of a similar nature registered in the years 2022 and 2023. It is contended that, in the event the applicant is released on bail, there is every likelihood that he may again abscond. Therefore, it is prayed that the present bail application be 3 dismissed. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused material available on record. 6. Considering the fact and circumstances of the case, nature of allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that the name of the applicant surfaced in the memorandum statement of the co-accused persons, further a permanent arrest warrant was issued against the applicant in the year 2023 in connection with the present case, which pertains to the year 2022 and the applicant surrendered on 18.03.2026, also considering the fact that he is involved in two other cases of a similar nature registered in the years 2022 and 2023, it is contended that, in the event the applicant is released on bail, there is every likelihood that he may again abscond, this Court is of the opinion that it is not a fit case to enlarge the applicant on regular bail. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of applicant – Ravi Banjara, involved in Crime No.44/2022, registered at Police Station - Lailunga, District - Raigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 457, 380, 511 and 34 of Indian Penal Code, is rejected. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 9. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- ((Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti