2026:CGHC:12964 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2525 of 2026 Navdhesh Kumar Sahu S/o Late Shri Santosh Kumar Aged About 36 Years R/o Vill- Sonsari, Ward No. 06, P.S. Mulmula, Dist.- Janjgir- Champa (C.G.)

... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through- S.H.O., P.S.Mulmula, Dist. Jangir Champa (C.G.)

... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Advocate.

For Non-Applicant/States : Ms. Anusha Naik, Deputy Government Advocate.

Digitally signed by Hon’ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice PREETI PREETI KUMARI

Order on Board

KUMARI Date:

2026.03.19

17:23:39 +0530

18.03.2026

1. This is the Second bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who have been arrested in connection with Crime No.304/2025, registered at Police Station – Mulmula, Raipur, District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 420 of Indian Penal Code and Section 66C of IT Act and Sections 42(3)(E) of Tele Communication Act.

2. Earlier bail application of the applicant was rejected on merits by this Court vide order dated 09.12.2025 passed in MCRC No. 8151/2025.

3. As per the prosecution story, Police Station Mulmula, District Janjgir–

Champa (C.G.), initiated an inquiry on the basis of a written complaint received from the In-charge, Cyber Cell, District Janjgir–Champa, on 21.09.2025. It was alleged that from the Point of Sale (POS) code 7869872497BSPSAHUMOBILE, Address: 02, Sonsari Road, Ward No. 06, Janjgir–Champa (C.G.) – 495553, a total of 20 SIM cards were issued. Out of 27 SIM card holders, two customers, namely Lav Kumar Sonwani and Ravindra Kumar Patle, informed that they were not using the SIM cards registered in their names. It was further alleged that the applicant sold 27 SIM cards to different persons to obtain undue benefits. That Police Station Mulmula registered Crime No. 304/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under Section 420 of the IPC and Section 66C of the IT Act, and arrested the applicant on 21.09.2025. During the course of the investigation, Police Station Mulmula arrested the co- accused, Surendra Kumar Barman, on 12.11.2025. After completion of the investigation, a charge sheet was filed against the applicant and another co-accused for offences punishable under Section 420 of the IPC, Section 66C of the IT Act, and Section 42(3)(e) of the Telecommunication Act. The applicant has been arrested despite the fact that he has not committed any offence as alleged against him and has been falsely implicated by the prosecution in the criminal case.

4. It is respectfully submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that the first bail application of the applicant was rejected on merits by this Court vide order dated 09.12.2025 passed in MCRC No. 8151/2025. This is the second bail application filed on behalf of the present applicant on the ground that, out of 16 witnesses, 03 witnesses have been examined till date. It is further submitted that as per the affidavit submitted, the four Sim numbers which has been allegedly used in fraud has been activated by the Surendra Kumar Burman fraudulently by using the ID of the applicant, that the applicant was not aware about the illegal act committed by the co-accused Surendra Kumar, further the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents and the charge sheet has already been filed. The applicant has been in jail since 21.09.2025. As the trial is likely to take a considerable time for its conclusion, the applicant prays that he be released on bail.

5. On the other hand, the learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application and submits that the first bail application of the applicant was rejected by this Court on the ground that during investigation, it was found that, upon receiving information regarding the fraudulent issuance of 27 mobile SIM c