MUNNADAS KULDEEP Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This first anticipatory bail application under Sec. 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicants, who are apprehending their arrest in connection with Crime No. 94/2025 registered at Police Station Kosir, District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sec. 318(4), 316(5), 3(5), 61(2)(B) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

(2.) As per the prosecution's case, in brief is that on 9/3/2025, pursuant to the order of the Collector, a five-member committee was directed to conduct an inspection at the Paddy Procurement Centre, Kosir. During the inspection, a shortage of 3,043.22 quintals of paddy, valued at Rs.94,33,982.00, was detected. Upon verification of the paddy arrival register, it was found that fake purchase entries had been made for the said quantity, and that out of this, 2,847.60 quintals were shown as purchased from 33 farmers who had never visited the procurement centre. The committee's report contained the list of these 33 farmers, including the present applicant, on the basis of which the crime was registered against him.

(3.) Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has not committed any offence and he has been falsely implicated in offence in question. He further submits that the applicant has neither missing any paddy nor received any amount nor obtaining any benefit of subject paddy nor committed any aforesaid offences as alleged by the prosecution against him. He further submits that the identically situated co-accused persons, have already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA Nos. 1633/2025, 1682/2025, 575/2025, 1697/2025, 1447/2025, 752/2025, 779/2025, 718/2025, 1451/2025, 1702/2025, 1706/2025, 1730/2025, 1763/2025, 1734/2025, 1706/2025, 1712/2025, 1713/2025, 1724/2025, 1725/2025 and similarly situated co-accused person, namely, Ku. Seema Vaare has already been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dtd. 12/11/2025 in MCRC No. 9043/2025. Therefore, he submits that the present applicants are also entitled to be released on anticipatory bail on the ground of parity.