RAMKUMAR Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is the first application under Sec. 482 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 filed by the applicant seeking grant of anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No.382 of 2025 registered at Police Station Dehat, District Ashoknagar (M.P.) for the offence punishable under Sec. 108, 3(5) of BNS, 2023.

(2.) As per the prosecution case, deceased Nandkishore Soni and Rameshwar Soni committed suicide by coming under a train on the railway track, pursuant to which a merg inquiry (inquest) was conducted. During the course of the merg inquiry, a suicide note bearing the signatures of both deceased persons- Nandkishore Soni and Rameshwar Soni-was recovered from the right pocket of the trousers worn by deceased Nandkishore Soni and duly seized. Another suicide note was produced and handed over to the police by Ankit Soni, son of Mahesh Soni, who brought the same from the shop of deceased Nandkishore Soni; the said note was also seized in accordance with law. Both suicide notes were sent for forensic examination, and the handwriting analysis report has confirmed that the writings and signatures belong to the deceased persons. Statements of the witnesses recorded during the investigation reveal that the deceased Nandkishore Soni and Rameshwar Soni were subjected to continuous mental harassment, abuse, and threats in relation to monetary transactions by certain persons, including the applicant/accused and other co-accused persons. It has further come on record that the deceased had been receiving abusive and threatening telephone calls, which caused severe mental distress. On the basis of the aforesaid facts and material collected during the investigation, Crime No. 382/2025 has been registered at Police Station Dehat, Ashoknagar, for offences punishable under Ss. 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (B.N.S.) against the applicant/accused and other co-accused persons.

(3.) Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the present case has been falsely and maliciously lodged against the applicant. It is contended that the applicant has no direct involvement in the alleged incident and has not committed any act that could be construed as abetment of the suicide of the deceased. It is further submitted that the suicide notes do not make any mention of the applicant's name. Co-accused Santosh Kumar Jain has already been granted the benefit of anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dtd. 3/12/2025 passed in M.Cr.C. No.54288/5025.