Chattisgarh High Court
Arun Chandrakar vs State Of Chhattisgarh on 25 February, 2026
Author: Ramesh Sinha
Bench: Ramesh Sinha
1
2026:CGHC:9852
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
MCRC No. 1568 of 2026
Arun Chandrakar S/o Ramu Chandrakar Aged About 35 Years R/o Ward
No.05, Mahli, Police Station And Tahsil Kunda, District - Kabirdham,
Chhattisgarh.
... Applicant(s)
Digitally
AKHILESH signed by
KUMAR AKHILESH
DEWANGAN KUMAR
DEWANGAN
versus
State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer Police Station -
Baramkela, District - Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Chhattisgarh.
... Respondent(s)
For Applicant(s) : Mr. Santosh Bharat, Advocate. For Respondent(s) : Ms. Vaishali Mahilang, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 25/02/2026
1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 53/2025 registered at Police Station Baramkela, District - Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) for the offence 2 punishable under Sections 316(5), 336(3), 340(2), 338, 318(4) and 3(5) of BNS.
2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that a report was lodged at Police Station Baramkela alleging large-scale financial irregularities and embezzlement in the KCC (Kisan Credit Card) accounts operated through the Seva Sahakari Samiti Branch, Baramkela. It is alleged that funds pertaining to farmers' KCC accounts were illegally transferred and misappropriated by showing fraudulent IMPS transactions and by manipulating records in the name of D.M.R. cash/card holders, thereby making the accounts appear nil. The total amount alleged to have been embezzled is approximately Rs.9,91,20,877.69. On the basis of the said report, the police registered an offence under Sections 316(5), 356(3), 340(2), 338, 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 against the present applicant. After completion of investigation, charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court and the applicant was arrested on 02.12.2025. Hence, the bail application.
3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has not committed any offence and he has been falsely implicated in offence in question. He further submits that four of the identically situated co-accused persons, namely, Minakshi Manjhi, D.R. Baghmare, Ashish Patel and Khir Das Mahant have already been granted bail by this Court vide orders dated 18.11.2025 and 3 11.11.2025 in MCRC Nos.9295 of 2025, 5325 of 2025, 8700 of 2025 and 7502 of 2025, respectively. The applicant is in jail since 02.12.2025, the applicant has no criminal antecedent, charge- sheet has been filed and the trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion. Therefore, he prays for grant of bail to the applicant.
4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case. She further submits that the applicant allegedly while being associated with the operations of KCC accounts at Baramkela, he was involved in illegal and doubtful financial transactions whereby funds of farmers were misappropriated through manipulation of records and unauthorized IMPS transfers. She further submits that amounts were shown as transferred in the name of D.M.R. cash/card holders, accounts were made nil by fraudulent entries, and a total sum of approximately Rs.9,91,20,877.69 was embezzled, thereby causing wrongful loss to the concerned bank and beneficiaries. She also submits that the present applicant is maintaining two bank accounts, and that transactions amounting to Rs.23,00,000/- have been reflected therein. Therefore, the applicant is not entitled for grant of bail.
5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary.
6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of offence, period of detention of the applicant 4 since 02.12.2025, the fact that though the applicant allegedly misappropriated farmers' KCC founds by making fraudulent entries and unauthorized IMPS transfers, thereby embezzling approximately Rs.9.91 crores, but considering the fact that four of the identically situated co-accused persons, namely, Minakshi Manjhi, D.R. Baghmare, Ashish Patel and Khir Das Mahant have already been granted bail by this Court vide orders dated 18.11.2025 and 11.11.2025 in MCRC Nos.9295 of 2025, 5325 of 2025, 8700 of 2025 and 7502 of 2025, respectively, further and the applicant has no criminal antecedent and charge-sheet has been filed in the present case, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case.
7. Accordingly, the application is allowed.
8. Let the Applicant-Arun Chandrakar, involved in Crime No. 53/2025 registered at Police Station Baramkela, District - Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 316(5), 336(3), 340(2), 338, 318(4) and 3(5) of BNS, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the 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 5 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.
9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court for necessary information and compliance.
Sd/-
(Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Akhil