1 2026:CGHC:15134 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 338 of 2026 Piyush Tandon S/o Ramkhilawan Tandon Aged About 22 Years Village Dhangawa, Police Thana - Masturi, District - Bilaspur Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. Sakri, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Anmol Gupta, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Ms. Palak Dwivedi, PL. For complainant : Ms. Seema Thakur, Advocate. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order On Board 01/04/2026 1. The applicant has preferred this application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’), for grant of anticipatory bail, apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.54/2026, registered at Police Station Sakri, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh for alleged commission of offence punishable under Section 74 of BNS, 2023 and section 8, 12 of POCSO Act. GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.04.02 17:36:18 +0530 2 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 19.01.2026, the father of victim made a written complaint before police station Sakri that on 19.01.2026 while he was returning to his house, he noticed near his residence the accused namely Piyush Tandon was asking his daughter to sit on his Bullet Motorbike. Upon inquiry, victim informed him that accused expressed his love and asked her to accompany him for an outing. Further alleged that when victim refused, the accused forcibly grabbed her breasts, kissed her cheeks and lips and attempted to forcibly make her sit on his motorcycle. 3. It has been argued by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and the present FIR has been lodged by the father of the victim just for his harassment. It is further submitted that the applicant is a permanent resident of address mentioned in the cause title and there is no likelihood of absconding, the applicant undertakes to abide by any 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 has opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail. She would submit that as per the progress report victim is aged about 15 years. 5. Learned counsel for the complainant has also opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 3 7. From perusal of the statement of the victim recorded under Section 183 BNSS she appears to be a minor girl of 14 years, though the State counsel has submitted that as per the progress report she is 15 years, admittedly it appears that she is a minor girl, she has stated in her statement that the applicant had molested her and also tried to take her forcibly on the motorcycle. Considering the gravity of the offence, the age of the victim and the fact that the investigation is still in progress, this Court does not find it a fit case to grant anticipatory bail. 8. Accordingly, the anticipatory bail application of the applicant - Piyush Tandon, involved in Crime No.54/2026, registered at Police Station Sakri, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh for alleged commission of offence punishable under Section 74 of BNS, 2023 and section 8, 12 of POCSO Act is rejected. Sd/-Sd S Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice gouri