1 2026:CGHC:4780 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 49 of 2026 Rajendra Prasad Sahu, S/o Shri Jagdev Prasad Sahu, Aged About 58 Years R/o Kali Murti Road, Sharda Chowk, Raipur, Tehsil And District Raipur C.G. (District name wrongly written as “District-Bilaspur (C.G.)” in the impugned order dated 15/12/2025- Annexure A/1) . .. Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House, Police Station Civil Lines, District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Palash Agrawal, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Ms. Vaishali Mahilong, Dy.G.A. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 28/01/2026 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.1186/2021 registered at Police Station – Civil Lines, Bilaspur for the offence punishable under Section 420 of Indian Penal Code, 1860. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 31.10.2021, the complainant, Raju Singh, lodged a First Information Report (F.I.R.) at GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.01.29 16:56:10 +0530 2 Police Station Civil Lines, Bilaspur (C.G.), alleging that during the COVID period the present applicant assured him that a Maruti Brezza car, which had not been sold at the dealership, was being offered by the company at a reduced price of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs only). However, it was stated that for this purpose an advance amount of Rs.2,00,000/- had to be deposited one month in advance, after which the car would be delivered. On this pretext, a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- was taken from the complainant with the assurance of providing a Brezza car. Further, the present applicant, after gaining the complainant's trust, got the said amount deposited into the bank account of Chandrashekhar, i.e., SBI Account No. 20398595471, and thereafter transferred the amount in different installments and switched off his mobile number 6266737487, thereby cheating and committing fraud. During the investigation, it was found that the applicant had committed a similar incident, on the basis of which Crime No. 470/22 under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code was also registered at Raipur. Hence, on the basis of the complainant's report, an offence was registered against the present applicant as Crime No. 1186/2021 under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, by Police Station Civil Lines, and the investigation ensued. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated. The prosecution case rests solely on the statement of the complainant, without any independent corroboration, and the allegations are exaggerated and motivated. The dispute, if any, is purely civil in nature arising out of an alleged commercial transaction, which has been given a criminal colour to pressurize the applicant. It is further submitted that the alleged amount 3 was not credited to the applicant’s account but to a third party, namely Chandrashekhar, and there is no material to show that the applicant derived any wrongful gain. He would submit that the applicant has already been granted bail in a similar matter by this Court vide order dated 14.10.2025 in MCRCA No. 1355/2025. He would submit that the applicant is the sole earning member of his family and is a permanent resident of address mentioned in the cause title and there is no likelihood of absconding and he undertakes to abide by all conditions imposed by this Court, therefore, he submits that the present applicant is entitled to be released on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail. She would submit that the applicant has three criminal antecedents, out of which, in one case he has been acquitted and two cases are pending. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submission of learned counsel for the parties, materials available on record, further the fact that applicant has three criminal antecedents, out of which, in one case he has been acquitted and two cases are pending but considering the nature of allegation levelled against the applicant and also considering the fact that investigation and trial are likely to take some time, therefore, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Rajendra Prasad Sahu, on executing 4 a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) The applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The applicant 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 his adhaar card along with a coloured postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) The applicant shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice gouri