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2026:CGHC:13764 Digitally signed by VAISHALI VAISHALI LUCKY NAFR LUCKY NAGARIA

NAGARIA Date:

2026.03.24

17:17:57 +0530 HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR

MCRCA No. 342 of 2026 • Jaikant Sahu S/o Sant Ram Sahu Aged About 31 Years R/o Ward

No. 8 Near Durga Mandir, Gharghoda, Raigarh, District Raigarh C.G.

Pin Code- 496111.

... Applicant(s)

versus

1. State of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O. P.S. Kasdol, District Baloda Bazar C.G. (Correctly Mentioned)

2. Meenakshi Sahu D/o Sanjay Sahu R/o Kasdol, Balodabazar District Balodabazar C.G. Pincode- 493335.

... Respondent(s)

(Cause title is taken from Case Information System)

For Applicant(s) : Mr. Vijay Satya Krishna Ojha, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Sameeksha Gupta, Panel Lawyer

For Objector Mr. Shiv Sevak, Advocate

Hon’ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice

Order on Board

23/03/2026

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 his arrest in connection with Crime No.22/2026 registered at Police Station – Kasdol, District-Baloda Bazar (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Section – 296, 3(5)

and 85 of BNS (Correspondence Section in IPS in 498-A).

2. As per Case of the prosecution, the marriage of applicant Jaikant

Sahu, with the complainant, Ms. Meenakshi Sahu, was solemnized

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on 03.12.2024 as per Hindu rites and customs at the complainant's native place. That the applicant is, permanent residents of Village gharghoda District Raigarh (Chhattisgarh), applicant's father sant ram sahu aged around 58 years working as lecturer in government school and applicant's mother i.e Hulsi sahu aged around 48 years engaged in agriculture and domestic work, with no prior criminal history and deep roots in society. That after the marriage, the complainant came to live in the matrimonial home at Village ghargoda District Raigarh. That the matrimonial life peaceful initially, was but subsequently certain differences arose between the complainant and husband Jaikant Sahu on account dowry money and demanding of cash for car allegedly. The allegation is against the husband jaikant sahu regarding asking for dowry money about 5 lakh rupees and subjecting her to cruelty. That as per complainant story her family gave 3 lakh cash and 40 tola chandi and 5 tola gold in the wedding and with this the husbands family was not satisfied. Husband and his parents again demanded 5 lakh cash and a car from wife/complainant and her family, she was being taunted by her husband and his parents for not meeting dowry demands thus subjecting her to cruelty. Further the husband and his parents used to abuse the wife/complainant on not fulfilling their dowry demands. That on 18.09.2025, the complainant submitted a written application at Police Station Kasdol alleging dowry demands and cruelty. On the basis of the said application, FIR No. 0022/2026 was registered on 13.01.2026 at Police Station Kasdol for offences under Sections 85, 296 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. That the allegations in the FIR are primarily directed against the husband Jaikant Sahu. The only specific act of physical cruelty is attributed solely to the husband. As regards the present applicant the

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allegations are entirely general, omnibus and vague in nature, such as "harassment", "taunts" and "demanding ₹5,00,000 and a car", without any specific date, time, place or particular overt act attributed to either of the applicants. That no medical evidence, injury report or independent witnesses have been cited in support of any physical cruelty. The applicant apprehend arrest in connection approaching this with the aforesaid FIR and is Hon'ble Court for

protection of their personal liberty.

3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is

innocent and he has been falsely implicated in the present case. He would submit that applicant has never tortured the complainant for demand of dowry in any manner.