Narendra Singh @ Sonu Rana vs State Of Chhattisgarh

Applicant has preferred this application under Section 482 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of anticipatory bail as he apprehends his arrest in connection with Crime No. 252/2026 registered at Police Station- City Kotwali District Mungeli (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 305, 305(E) , 317(2), 331(4) and 3(5) of BNS, 2023.

Case of prosecution, in brief, is that an FIR was lodged against some unknown persons with regard to theft in govt. fair price shop/godown of ration items like rice and sugar. During the course of investigation some persons were arrested and based upon their memorandum statement the present applicant was also arrested. Hence this bail.

Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that applicant has been falsely implicated in the crime. He has not committed any offence as alleged. She further submits that only on the basis of memorandum statement of the other co-accused persons the present applicant has been made accused and arrested. She also submits that as per the complaint reported at Police Station city Kotwali the other co-accused persons have committed theft in the shop of applicant. Applicant is not indulged in any such offence and all the criminal antecedents registered against the applicant is of the year 2026 of similar nature. Hence, he may be benefited with the grant of anticipatory bail.

On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the submission of counsel for applicant and would submit that in the memorandum statement of the co-accused Raju Shrivas it has come that he along with other co-accused persons has committed theft of rice and thereafter use to sell the rice in the shop of applicant.

I have heard learned counsel for the respective parties.

Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegations as also the submission made by learned counsel for the respective parties, without commenting anything on merits, I am inclined to allow this anticipatory bail application.

Accordingly, application is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of applicant in connection with the crime in question, he shall be released on anticipatory bail by the Officer arresting him on his executing a personal bond in the sum of ₹25,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned arresting Officer. Applicant shall also abide by the following conditions:

(i)that the applicant shall make himself available for interrogation before the Investigation Officer as and when required;

(ii)that the applicant shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer;

(iii)that the applicant shall not act, in any manner, which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial; and

(iv)that the applicant shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial.

Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith.

Certified copy as per rules.