2026:CGHC:5782 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 164 of 2026 Krish Kumar Manhar S/o Narendra Kumar Manhar Aged About 19 Years R/o Village Sevati P.S. And Tahsil Bilha, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh.

... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through - The Station House Officer, Police Station Bilha, District Bilaspur (C.G.)

... Non-applicant For Applicant : Ms. Khushboo Sahu, Advocate.

For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Palak Dwivedi, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice

Order on Board

02.02.2026

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 her arrest in connection with Crime No. 14/2026 registered at Police Station Bilha, District Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 115(2), 296, 118(2), 351(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2. As per the prosecution’s case, in brief is that the complainant lodged a report at the concerned police station alleging that on the date of the incident, i.e., 03.01.2026 at about 8:00 p.m., a minor RAHUL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by RAHUL DEWANGAN dispute arose between the parties near an egg roll shop in connection with the Rampur Mela, pursuant to which the accused persons allegedly assaulted the complainant by hands, fists and a danda, and thereafter fled from the spot. On the basis of the said report, the concerned police station registered an offence punishable under Sections 115(2), 296, 118(2), 351(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the applicant and other co- accused persons. Hence, the present application for anticipatory bail.

3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case, having no nexus whatsoever with the alleged incident as narrated by the prosecution. It is contended that at the time of the incident there was only a simple dispute between the parties, and the applicant did not commit any of the offences alleged against him. The injuries sustained by the injured persons were, in fact, caused by the main accused, namely Karan Kumar Verma, and not by the present applicant, who is stated to be a friend of the injured persons. It is further submitted that there are four accused persons in the present case including the applicant, out of whom three co- accused have already been granted bail by the learned trial Court, and therefore, on the ground of parity, the present applicant is also entitled to be enlarged on bail; copies of the bail orders have been filed collectively as Annexure A-3. She further submits that though it is alleged that two injured persons, namely Narendra Banjare and Uttara Markhande, suffered stab wounds and lacerated injuries due to a sharp bamboo stick, the present applicant is alleged, at best, to have used a blunt object, and even otherwise, from perusal of the MLC reports of the injured persons, it is evident that the doctor has not opined about the nature or gravity of the injuries. It is thus submitted that no prima facie case is made out against the applicant, none of the essential ingredients of the offences punishable under Sections 115(2), 296, 118(2), 351(3) and 3(5 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita are attracted against him, there is no material evidence to substantiate the allegations, and the applicant has not acted in the manner alleged by the prosecution. Hence, she prays that the present applicant is entitled to be released on anticipatory bail.

4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non -

applicant/State, opposes the submission made by the learned counsel for the applicant and submits that the FIR clearly discloses that on 03.01.2026 at about 8:00 p.m., near an egg roll shop in connection with the Rampur Mela, the applicant along with other co- accused persons assaulted the complainant by hands, fists and a sharp bamboo stick, and thereafter fled from the sp