1 2026:CGHC:9473 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 296 of 2026 Laxmi Nayak (Batra) @ Pamplate D/o Panchu Batra Aged About 19 Years R/o Behind Madhupille School, Pandri Pond, Tehsil And District Raipur Chhattisgarh ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Sho P/s Civil Lines, Raipur Chhattisgarh ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Lukesh Kumar Mishra, Advocate. For Respondent(s) : Ms. Vaishali Mahilang, Dy G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 24.02.2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.14/2026 registered at Police Station AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN Digitally signed by AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN 2 Civil Lines, Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 108, 3(5) of the BNS. 2. Prosecution case in brief is that the on 21.10.2025, Assistant Sub- Inspector Radhelal of Police Station Civil Lines received information that the deceased, Sudarshan Chhura, had fallen from the roof and was admitted to DKS Hospital for treatment, where he subsequently died during the course of treatment. On the basis of the said information, a merg intimation bearing No. 44/2025 was registered regarding the death of the deceased. During the merg inquiry, statements of witnesses revealed that the deceased Sudarshan Chhura was allegedly threatened by the applicant/accused and other co-accused persons that his obscene video would be made viral, and on such threat, money was demanded from him. Due to such threats and pressure, the deceased was allegedly instigated to commit suicide, as a result of which he jumped from the roof and ended his life. On the basis of the said material, Crime No. 14/2026 has been registered at Police Station Civil Lines against the applicant/accused and other co-accused persons for the offence punishable under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the matter is under investigation. Hence, the bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the offence in question. He further submits that the deceased was a history- 3 sheeter and was wanted by Police Station Saraswati Nagar, Raipur in connection with Crime No. 247/2025 dated 16.10.2025 (Annexure A/3). It is submitted that on 18.10.2025, while being chased by police personnel in the said crime, the deceased allegedly fell from a roof and sustained head injuries. He was admitted to DKS Hospital and succumbed to the injuries on 21.10.2025. It is contended that thereafter a false and fabricated story has been set up against the applicant for reasons best known to the authorities. The fact of the deceased being chased and falling from the roof is reflected in the news article dated 26.10.2025 (Annexure A/4). A copy of the FIR in Crime No. 247/2025 dated 16.10.2025 is annexed as Annexure A/3. He also submits that after the death of the deceased, FIR No. 14/2026 came to be registered belatedly on 10.01.2026. The entire sequence of events had already been reported in the public domain since 18.10.2025 through various news reports, including the subsequent alleged fabrication by the police. In this regard, the news article dated 12.01.2026 (Annexure A/5) also contains material facts relating to the case and is filed along with the present application, hence he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel has opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail and submits that the applicant along with other co-accused persons, allegedly threatened the deceased, Sudarshan Chhura, with making his obscene video 4 viral and demanded money from him and due to such threats and pressure, the deceased was instigated to commit suicide, as a result of which he jumped from the roof and died during treatment. Therefore, the applicant is not entitled for grant of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submissions of learned counsel for the parties, nature of dispute and material available in case diary, and the fact that though the applicant along with other co-accused persons, allegedly threatened the deceased, Sudarshan Chhura, with making his obscene video viral and demanded money from him and due to such threats and pressure, the deceased was instigated to commit suicide, as a result of which he jumped from the roof and died during treatment, but considering the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedent, as such, without further commenting anything on merits, this Court find it appropriate to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant - Laxmi Nayak ( Batra) @ Pamplate, on executing a personal bond with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) He shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person 5 acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) He shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) He 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 their adhaar card alongwith a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) He shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Akhil