1 2026:CGHC:20218 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2418 of 2026 Laxmikant Sahu S/o Khamman Lal Sahu Aged About 25 Years R/o Ayodhyanagar Shiva Temple Ward No. 69, Raipur, Police Station D.D. Nagar, Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. Rajim, District - Gariyaband (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ankush Soni, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Saumya Rai, Deputy Government Advocate. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 30.04.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 145/2025 registered at Police Station- Rajim, District- Gariyaband (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 318(4), 111, 61(2)(A) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that the Inspector/Station House Officer, Rajim, upon monitoring mule account holders through reliable sources and a portal operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, found that during the period from 30.05.2024 to 17.03.2025, an amount of Rs.4,16,96,238/- obtained through fraudulent activities from PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.05.01 19:08:10 +0530 2 various persons across different states of the country was deposited in Account Nos. 60493931643, 60515824007, 60491638398, 60509274354, 60509340556, 60493928857, and 60487661902 maintained at the Bank of Maharashtra, Rajim Branch. It was further revealed that the said bank accounts were opened and operated with the intention of facilitating the receipt and transfer of fraudulently obtained money, and the account holders knowingly assisted in handling such proceeds of crime, being fully aware that the funds were derived through dishonest and fraudulent means. On this basis, Crime No. 145/2025 was registered against the account holders at Police Station Rajim under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 318(4), 61(2), 111, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and upon completion of investigation, a charge-sheet has been filed. 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 bail application of co-accused Mohnish Kumar Tandiya was earlier rejected by this Court, however, he preferred SLP (Crl.) No. 18750/2025 before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and vide order dated 22.01.2026, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has been granted bail to him. It is also submitted that other similarly situated co-accused persons, namely, Pawan Kumar Miri, Yuvraj Adil, Ravi Kumar Tilwani and Harish Sahu have been granted bail by this Court passed in MCRC Nos. 985/2026, 1271/2026, 1269/2026 and 1518/2026, respectively. The same has been annexed as Annexure A/3 (colly). The applicant is in judicial custody since 22.11.2025 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time. Therefore, on the ground of parity and prolonged detention, the applicant prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel, appearing for the State/non- 3 applicant, submit that the charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court and the trial is currently in progress. He further concur with the submission made on behalf of the applicant to the effect that the principle of parity may be considered, however, he contend that the serious nature of the offences, the ongoing investigation and the possibility of influencing witnesses weigh against granting bail to the applicant at this stage. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case that the bail application of co-accused Mohnish Kumar Tandiya was earlier rejected by this Court, however, he preferred SLP (Crl.) No. 18750/2025 before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and vide order dated 22.01.2026, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has been granted bail to him and further considering the fact that other similarly situated co-accused persons, namely, Pawan Kumar Miri, Yuvraj Adil, Ravi Kumar Tilwani and Harish Sahu have been granted bail by this Court passed in MCRC Nos. 985/2026, 1271/2026, 1269/2026 and 1518/2026, respectively and the applicant is in judicial custody since 22.11.2025 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time and in the present case, charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court thus, without further commenting anything on merits, I am inclined to grant bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant is allowed. 8. Let the applicant – Laxmikant Sahu, involved in Crime No. 145/2025 registered at Police Station- Rajim, District- Gariyaband (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 318(4), 111, 61(2)(A) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties, in the like sum to the 4 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 his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (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 the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (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. 5 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court for necessary information and compliance. dorthwith. - S/- Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti