Chattisgarh High Court
Manoj Soni vs State Of Chhattisgarh on 19 March, 2026
Author: Ramesh Sinha
Bench: Ramesh Sinha
1
2026:CGHC:13174
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
MCRC No. 2601 of 2026
Manoj Soni S/o Shri R.K. Soni Aged About 52 Years R/o Village Lucky
Kirana Store, Godavari Nagar, Raipur, District - Raipur (C.G.)
... Applicant
versus
State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station -
Telibanda, District- Raipur (C.G.)
... Non-Applicant
For Applicant : Mr. Shrikant Mishra, Advocate
For Non-Applicant/State : Dr. Sourabh Kumar Pande, Deputy A.G.
Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
Order on Board
19.03.2026
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. 410/2024 registered at Police Station- Telibanda, District- Raipur, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 120-B, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
RAHUL
2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the complaint was lodged DEWANGAN Digitally by the Manager of Chhattisgarh State Rural Bank alleging that the signed by RAHUL DEWANGAN 2 accused persons had fraudulently obtained a loan by misrepresenting ownership of land belonging to another person and by submitting forged purchase and sale documents, thereby causing wrongful loss to the bank. Upon completion of investigation, an offence was registered and a charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court. Hence, this 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 similarly situated co-accused person, namely, Swapan Kumar Guchait has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 23.02.2026 in MCRC No. 648/2026. He also submits that the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents, and he is in jail since 08.12.2025, the 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 on the ground of parity.
4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application of the applicant and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court, but could not dispute the fact that co-accused person has already been granted bail by this Court and the case of the present applicant is identical to that of the co- accused.
5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary.
3
6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of offence, period of detention of the applicant since 08.12.2025, the fact that though the present applicant and other co-accused were committed that said crime, but other co- accused person, namely, Swapan Kumar Guchait has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 23.02.2026 in MCRC No. 648/2026, and the case of present applicant is identical to that of the co-accused person, further the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents, the 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 on the ground of parity.
7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant is allowed. Let the Applicant - Manoj Soni, involved in Crime No. 410/2024 registered at Police Station- Telibanda, District- Raipur, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 120-B, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, be released on bail on furnishing 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 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 4 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.
8. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith.
Sd/-
(Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Rahul Dewangan