1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested on 18.02.2026 in connection with Crime No. 02 of 2024 dated 16.01.2024 registered by the Economic Offences Wing/Anti Corruption Bureau, Chhattisgarh for the offences punishable under Sections 420,120(B) of the IPC and Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the complainant, Deputy Superintendent of Police, EOW/ACB, had received Letter No. ECIR/RPZO/02/2023/802 from the Enforcement Directorate, whereby information under Section 66 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, along with details of ECIR/RPZO/02/2023 dated 11/01/2024, was shared with regard to corruption in the use of funds from the District Mineral Fund in District Korba, Chhattisgarh. Further case of the prosecution is that DMF is a trust funded by miners and has been set up in all districts of Chhattisgarh with the object of working for the benefit of persons affected by mining-related projects and activities. Investigation by the Enforcement Directorate revealed that up to 40% of the total tender amount was being paid as commission to officers and officials. In view of the above facts and circumstances, it is suspected that financial irregularities and corruption have occurred in DMF-related works in various districts of Chhattisgarh and public money has been siphoned off. In order to investigate the same, FIR bearing Crime No. 02/2024 was registered under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against the accused persons by Police Station ACB/EOW, Raipur (C.G.).

Role of the present applicant

3. As per prosecution case, the applicant Satpal Singh Chabra emerges as a key intermediary and commission agent in the alleged irregularities relating to procurement and supply under agriculture-related schemes linked with the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) framework. During investigation, Satpal Singh Chabra admitted that since 2019 he actively involved in facilitating supply works in the Agriculture Department. He was approached by Mandeep Chawla alias Mandy, who proposed securing departmental work through the influence of Anil Tuteja. Further, the applicant is alleged to have acted as an agent connecting Rate Contract (RC) vendors with departments such as Agriculture and Horticulture. He facilitated supply orders in exchange for commission. A structured commission model was followed namely 30% to 35% commission collected from vendors, 10% forwarded upward; and the remaining 20% to 25% shared between Satpal Singh Chabra and Mandeep Chawla. Although Rate Contract (RC) was awarded through tender process, actual work allocation was allegedly influenced through agents. Vendors were compelled to pay commissions for obtaining work.

4. The material collected during investigation including the memorandum statement of the present applicant, prima facie reveals the manner in which the otherwise formal Rate Contract (RC) procurement system of Beej Nigam was misused through agents and middlemen. The applicant disclosed that procurement relating to Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department and other agriculture-related purchases was carried out through Beej Nigam under the RC mechanism, wherein vendors were selected through tender, technical and financial scrutiny, declaration of L-1 and extension of L-1 rates to other eligible vendors. However, he further admitted that after grant of RC, such RC-holding vendors used to obtain departmental work through agents in consideration of commission. He specifically stated that since the year 2019 he himself was functioning as such an agent, contacting RC vendors, collecting commission from them and facilitating supply/work in the concerned departments. This material, prima facie, shows misus