1 2026:CGHC:18729 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 610 of 2026 Dilsai S/o Late Patwari Ram Aged About 60 Years R/o Village Katinda Police Station Lakhanpur District- Surguja (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Lakhanpur District- Surguja (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Anurag Singh, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Soumya Rai, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 23.04.2026 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. 71/2026 registered at Police Station – Lakhanpur District - Surguja (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 316, 3(5) of the BNS and Section 3(7) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. 2. The prosecution story in brief is that inspection was conducted by food inspector of Upbhogta Sahkari Seva Samiti, Katinda and it was found VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.04.23 17:53:48 +0530 2 that 155 quintals of Rice, 5.50 quintal of Sugar and 6.50 of salt was not available in stock and the applicant in collusion with Kavita Singh (President) and Kudrat Bahal have misappropriated total amount of Rs. 15,72,032 therefore the F.I.R was registered persons against present applicant and other accused. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that he is the Vice-President of Shri Ganesh Self-Help Group of Village Katinda, and no irregularity has ever been committed by the said group in the distribution of ration. It is submitted that on the date of the alleged incident, the applicant had gone to the forest to collect Mahua and was not present at the relevant place. The applicant was neither the in-charge nor responsible for the operation of any ration shop, yet he has been falsely implicated. It is also submitted that the copy of the FIR could not be annexed as the same is shown as a sensitive case on the official website of CG Police, and therefore, a copy of the case status report has been filed. Furthermore, the Food Inspector did not conduct a proper inspection of the available stock of ration in the shop, nor was the applicant called or present at the time of inspection, therefore, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposed the applicant anticipatory bail application 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the dispute, and the 3 material available in the case diary, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits, 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 – Dilsai, on executing a personal bond and one local 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 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 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) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE vaibhav