2026:CGHC:1993 AFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR ORDER RESERVED ON 08. 01.2026 ORDER DELIVERED ON 13. 01.2026 ORDER UPLOADED ON 13. 01.2026 MCRCA No. 11 of 2026

1 - Saumya Chaurasia D/o Lt. Shri O.N. Chaurasia Aged About 46 Years R/o A/21 Surya Residency, Junwani Road, Kohka, Bhilai, Supela Durg, Chhattisgarh-490023 (Currently Under Judicial Custody At Central Jail, Raipur (C.G.)

... Applicant(s)

versus

1 - The State Of Chhattisgarh Through Economic Offences Wing (Eow)/ Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Headquarter, Opposite Jai Jawan Petrol Pump, Telibandha, Raipur, Chhattisgarh - 492001 ... Respondent(s)

(HON’BLE SHRI JUSTICE ARVIND KUMAR VERMA)

C A V Order

The Applicant seeks the indulgence of this Court by invoking its extraordinary jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, apprehending her imminent arrest in connection with FIR No. 04 of 2024 dated 17.01.2024, registered by the Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau, Chhattisgarh, Raipur, for the alleged commission of offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections

7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

2. The Applicant asserts with utmost humility that she has been falsely implicated owing to extraneous and ulterior considerations, and that the substratum of the allegations, even if taken at their face value, fails to disclose any prima facie involvement or culpability on her part. The material placed on record, including the charge-sheets, does not reveal any legally sustainable nexus between the Applicant and the alleged offences.

3. The present application has, therefore, been necessitated in the paramount interest of justice and fair play, seeking protection of the Applicant’s personal liberty, which stands sanctified and zealously guarded under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND OF THE CASE.

4. The present application has been preferred by the Applicant under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking protection against arrest in connection with FIR No. 04 of 2024 dated 17.01.2024 registered by the Economic Offences Wing/Anti- Corruption Bureau, Chhattisgarh, Raipur, for the alleged commission of offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

5. As per the prosecution version, it is alleged that during the period from 2019 to 2022, a large-scale syndicate was operating in the State of Chhattisgarh which was purportedly involved in the manufacture and sale of illegal liquor through licensed government outlets, thereby generating unlawful pecuniary gains. It is further alleged that the proceeds emanating from the aforesaid illicit activities were systematically distributed amongst the members of the syndicate and further utilized to unlawfully influence and suborn certain political and administrative functionaries, thereby occasioning a colossal loss to the State exchequer.

6. As per prosecution case, it is alleged that she is neither named in the present FIR nor is any specific, direct or overt role attributed to her therein. The FIR, as it stands, contains general and omnibus allegations against multiple individuals, without disclosing the Applicant’s involvement either by name, by role, or by necessary implication.

6. It is the further allegation that the registration of the present FIR is of nearly two years ago, the investigating agency has filed one charge-sheet and six supplementary charge-sheets, arraigning as many as 51 accused persons. However, not a single notice, summons or call for interrogation has ever been issued to the Applicant in connection with the present FIR, clearly indicating that custodial interrogation of the Applicant was never considered necessary during the course of investigation.

7. At present, the applicant is in judicial custody in connection with proceedings initia