Priya Sonwani vs State Of Chhattisgarh

This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 669/2026 registered at Police Station : Kotwali, District : Korba (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 105 and 238 of the BNS, 2023.

The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that following a merg inquiry, an FIR was registered on 09.08.2026 against the present applicant, alleging that on 15.07.2026, a quarrel ensued between the applicant and her husband, Ankit Sonwani (deceased), during which the applicant assaulted him with a knife. He was shifted to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Pursuant to the registration of the said FIR, the applicant was arrested on 12.08.2026.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the present case on the basis of allegations emerging from the merg inquiry. He further submits that while the prosecution alleges that the death occurred due to a knife assault perpetrated by the applicant, the definitive medical opinion reveals that a pre-existing ailment was the actual cause of death. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant has no prior criminal antecedents, and she has been languishing in jail since 12.08.2026. As the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, he prays for the grant of regular bail to the applicant.

On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the applicant assaulted her husband with a knife, which resulted in his death. Considering the specific and direct allegations levelled against the applicant, it is submitted that she is not entitled to the grant of regular bail.

I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary.

It appears that on 15.07.2026, an altercation ensued between the applicant and her husband, Ankit Sonwani, during which the applicant allegedly assaulted him with a knife. As per the post-mortem report, an incised wound caused by a sharp-edged weapon was found on the person of the deceased, while the subsequent viscera report has ruled out the presence of poison.

However, according to the query report submitted by Dr. Deepak Prakash, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, GMC Korba, the deceased suffered from micronodular liver disease, which may have compromised blood coagulation and led to death as a result of excessive blood loss.

Taking into consideration the aforesaid discussion, coupled with the fact that the applicant has no prior criminal antecedents, has been in custody since 12.08.2026, and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, this Court is of the opinion that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail at this stage

It is directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 50,000/- to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court, she shall be released on bail on the following conditions:-

(b)she 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 her from disclosing such fact to the Court; and

The observation made hereinabove is for the purpose of deciding this bail application only, the learned trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits.