Somendra Soni vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh
2026 Latest Caselaw 2733 MP

Madhya Pradesh High Court

Somendra Soni vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 18 March, 2026

Author: Milind Ramesh Phadke

Bench: Milind Ramesh Phadke

         NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2026:MPHC-GWL:9599




                                                             1                          MCRC-12568-2026
                             IN     THE      HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
                                                   AT GWALIOR
                                                       BEFORE
                                     HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE MILIND RAMESH PHADKE
                                                 ON THE 18th OF MARCH, 2026
                                           MISC. CRIMINAL CASE No. 12568 of 2026
                                                     SOMENDRA SONI
                                                          Versus
                                              THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH
                          Appearance:
                                  Shri Madhur Bhargava - Advocate for the applicant.
                                  Shri Samar Ghuraiya - Public Prosecutor for the State.

                                                                 ORDER

The applicant has filed this first bail application under Section 482 of BNSS/438 of Cr.P.C. for grant of anticipatory bail. Applicant apprehends his arrest in connection with Crime No.64/2026 registered at Police Station Cantt District Guna (M.P.) in relation to the offence punishable under Sections 4-A of the Public Gambling Act, 1976 and Section 112 and 238(A) of BNS.

Learned counsel for the applicant contended that the case of the

present applicant is akin to the case of other co-accused, namely, Deepak Ojha who has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 27.02.2026 passed in M.Cr.C. No.9964 of 2026, therefore, claiming parity, it is prayed that the present application be allowed and benefit of bail be also granted to the applicant.

Per contra, learned Public Prosecutor for the State opposed the

NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2026:MPHC-GWL:9599

2 MCRC-12568-2026 application and prayed for its rejection by contending that looking to the nature of allegations and the gravity of offence, no case for anticipatory bail is made out.

The case of the applicant appears to be similar to the case of co- accused Deepak Ojha who has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 27.02.2026 passed in M.Cr.C. No.9964 of 2026. Thus, there is no reason to take a different view than the one taken in the case of above said co- accused.

In view of above and looking to the fact that the material placed on record does not disclose the possibility of the applicant fleeing from justice, this Court is inclined to extend the benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicant. Accordingly, this Court, without commenting on the merits of the

case, is of the opinion that the applicant deserves to be extended the benefit of anticipatory bail. Accordingly, this application is allowed. It is directed that in the event of arrest, the applicant shall be released on anticipatory bail upon furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with one solvent surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer, subject to compliance of the following conditions by the applicant :-

(i) The applicant will comply with all the terms and conditions of the bond executed by him;

ii) The applicant will cooperate in the investigation/trial, as the case may be;

iii) The applicant will not indulge himself in extending

NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2026:MPHC-GWL:9599

3 MCRC-12568-2026 inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to the Police Officer, as the case may be;

iv) The applicant will not seek unnecessary adjournments during the trial;

v) The applicant shall not commit any other offence during the period of bail;

vi) The applicant will not leave India without previous permission of the trial Court/Investigating Officer, as the case may be.

Application stands allowed and disposed of. Copy of this order be sent to the trial Court/Police Station concerned for compliance.

Certified copy as per rules.

(MILIND RAMESH PHADKE) JUDGE

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