MCRC/9431/2026 of HEERA PRASAD KHANDEKAR Vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH on 7 October 2026

1. This is the first bail application filed by the applicant under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 841/2026 registered at Police Station – Civil Line, District – Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

2. Case of the prosecution, in brief is that brief, is that complainant Daulat Ram Thakur, Naib Nazir Garde-II posted in the Office of the Tahsildar, Bilaspur, CG, submitted a written report before Police Station Civil Lines,

District Bilaspur, CG alleging that the present applicant, along with other persons, had deliberately concealed the actual cause of death and, by adopting fraudulent means, dishonestly obtained financial assistance of Rs.4,00,000/- under the Government's Snakebite/Poisonous Animal Bite Death Assistance Scheme, thereby causing wrongful loss to the State exchequer and corresponding wrongful gain to themselves. Upon finding a prima facie case, an offence under Crime No. 841/2026 u/s 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of Indian Penal Code, 1860 has been registered by the Police Station Civil Lines, District Bilaspur, CG and the matter was taken up for investigation. During investigation the applicant has been arrested on 05/09/2026. Hence this bail application.

3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that applicant is innocent, he has been falsely implicated in the crime. He has not committed any offence as alleged. He submits further that the applicant is an Advocate by profession. He was arrested on 05/09/2026. Investigation is complete, charge-sheet has also been filed, therefore, no custodial interrogation is further required. He further submits that the co-accused persons have been enlarged on bail in MCRC No. 8239/2026 vide order dated 08.09.2026 and MCRC No. 6871/2026 vide order dated 18.08.2026. Hence, he may be enlarged on regular bail.

4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the submission made by counsel for the applicant and would submit that there are specific allegations leveled against the applicant in the FIR for commission of the aforesaid offences. However, he do not dispute the submission of counsel for the applicant that the other co-accused persons have been enlarged on bail.

5. I have heard learned counsel for the respective parties and perused the documents filed along with the bail application.

6. Taking into consideration, facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegations, submission of learned counsel for the respective parties, the other co-accused persons have been enlarged on bail in MCRC No. 8239/2026 vide order dated 08.09.2026 and MCRC No. 6871/2026 vide order dated 18.08.2026, investigation is complete, charge-sheet has been filed, applicant is an Advocate, documents enclosed along with the bail application, trial is likely to take sometime, without commenting anything on merits of the case, I am inclined to allow this application for grant of bail.

7. Accordingly, the bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is allowed and it is directed that applicant shall be released on bail upon his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of Trial Court concerned on the conditions that:

(a) 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.

(b) 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.

(c) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial andin order to secure her 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.

(d) 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.

8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Certified copy as per rules. Sd/- (Parth Prateem Sahu) Judge Dey SHUBHAM DEY Digitally signed by SHUBHAM DEY