1 2026:CGHC:17922 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3538 of 2026 Ravi Manjhi S/o Sotiram Manjhi Aged About 35 Years Caste- Manjhi, R/o Mu, Sattipara Thana- Ambikapur Tehsil Ambikapur, District- Surguja (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through- Station House Officer Police Station - Ambikapur Dehat Gandhinagar District- Surguja (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Krishna Tandon, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Vaishali Mahilong, Deputy Government Advocate. Hon’ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 20.04.2026 1. This is the Second bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 397/2025 registered at Police Station - Ambikapur Dehat Gandhinagar, District- Surguja (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 317(4), 318(4) and 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. Earlier first bail applicant of the applicant has been rejected by this Court vide order dated 27.10.2025 passed in MCRC No.6606/2025. 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 the first bail application was dismissed on merits by this Court vide PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.04.21 15:01:39 +0530 2 order dated 27.10.2025 passed in MCRC No. 6606/2025. Thereafter, the applicant preferred SLP (Crl.) No. 19617/2025 before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which was dismissed on 17.12.2025. It is further submitted that the co-accused, namely, Amit Mishra, who is similarly situated in the present case, has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 18.03.2026, a copy of which has been annexed as Annexure A/6 to the bail application. As regards the status of the trial, out of nine prosecution witnesses, five have already been examined. It is also submitted that the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents, the charge-sheet has been filed, and the applicant is in custody since 14.07.2025. Therefore, it is prayed that the applicant be enlarged on bail on the ground of parity. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application but could not dispute the fact that the co-accused has already been granted bail by this Court. 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 made against the applicant, and the fact that the first bail application of the applicant was earlier rejected on merits, this Court further takes into account that the co-accused, namely, Amit Mishra, who is similarly situated in the present case, has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 18.03.2026, further the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents, the charge-sheet has been filed, and the applicant has been in custody since 14.07.2025, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail on the ground of parity. 7. Accordingly, the Second bail application is allowed. Let the applicant - Ravi Manjhi, involved in Crime No. 397/2025 registered at Police Station 3 - Ambikapur Dehat Gandhinagar, District- Surguja (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 317(4), 318(4) and 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two heavy sureties in the like amount 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 their counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of BNS. (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 BNS. (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. However, this Court hope and trust that the trial Court shall make an earnest endeavour to conclude the trial within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order, if there is no 4 legal impediment. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned forthwith for necessary information and compliance. Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti