RAJKUMAR PATEL vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

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CGHC010333202026 2026:CGHC:38356
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
MCRC No. 7976 of 2026
Rajkumar Patel S/o Reshamlal Patel Aged About 42 Years R/o Village -
Barekel, Police Station - Basna, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh
... Applicant(s)
versus
State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police
Station Basna, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh
... Respondent(s)
Digitally
signed by
AKHILESH
KUMAR
DEWANGAN
AKHILESH
KUMAR
DEWANGAN
For Applicant(s) : Mr. Dhirendra Prasad Mishra, Advocate.
For Respondent(s) : Mr. S.S. Baghel, Government Advocate.
Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
Order on Board
31.08.2026
1. This is the second bail application filed under Section 483 of the
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail
to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime
No. 163/2024 registered at Police Station Basna, District :
Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections
420, 409, 34 of IPC.

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As per the prosecution case, during the procurement season from
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01.11.2020 to 30.01.2021, paddy was purchased by the Primary
Krishi Sakha Sahkari Samiti Maryadit, Pirda, wherein shortage of
paddy was detected during departmental verification. Pursuant
thereto, an enquiry committee was constituted, which submitted
its report holding that the shortage had occurred on account of
lack of supervision by the present applicant, who was working as
a Salesman, along with other employees engaged in procurement
of paddy. Thereafter, a newly appointed Prescribed Officer of the
Society filed an application under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C., on the
basis of which, in compliance of the order passed by the learned
Judicial Magistrate First Class, Police Station Basna, District
Mahasamund registered Crime No.163/2024 against seven
accused persons, including the present applicant, for the offences
punishable under Sections 420, 409 and 34 of the Indian Penal
Code. It is alleged that the present case pertains to the
embezzlement of approximately Rs.4,45,00,000/- relating to
paddy procurement. The applicant was arrested on 08.06.2026
and, till date, additional charge-sheet has not been filed and the
investigation is still in progress. Hence, the bail application.
3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the first bail
application of the applicant was rejected by this Court on merits
vide order dated 23.07.2026, therefore this second bail application
is filed on the ground that since one co-accused, Smt. Pallavi
Meshram has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide

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order dated 01.05.2024 in MCRCA No.433 of 2024 and one co-
accused, Shivnath Patel has been granted bail by this Court vide
order dated 04.11.2025 in MCRC No.8065 of 2025, further the
charge-sheet has already been filed in the present case and the
applicant is in jail since 08.06.2026, hence, he prays for releasing
the applicant on regular bail.
4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for
grant of bail and submits that the applicant has been specifically
named in the FIR and is one of the principal accused persons in a
serious case involving embezzlement of approximately
Rs.4,45,00,000/-. It is further submitted that the applicant
remained absconding since 27.03.2024 and was arrested only on
08.06.2026, further the case of present applicant is clearly
distinguished from that of the co-accused persons, who have
been granted bail as he remained absconding for more than two
years and his role is materially different, as such, the bail
application of the applicant is liable to be rejected.
I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case
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diary.
6. From perusal of the records, it transpires that this is the second
bail application of the applicant and first bail application of the
applicant was rejected by this Court vide order dated 23.07.2026
in MCRC No. 5873 of 2026 on the ground that allegations against
the applicant involved an alleged embezzlement of approximately

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Rs.4.45 crores in connection with procurement of paddy by the
concerned Cooperative Society, the enquiry report prima facie
attributed financial irregularities and lack of supervision to the
applicant, the applicant had remained absconding for a
considerable period and was arrested only on 08.06.2026, and the
investigation was still in progress. The ground that certain co-
accused have been granted bail does not entitle the present
applicant to parity, as the said ground has already been
considered at the time of deciding the first bail application of the
applicant, hence there appears to be no new ground to entertain
the present second bail application of the applicant.
Accordingly, the second bail application of the applicant -
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Rajkumar Patel, involved in Crime No. 163/2024 registered at
Police Station Basna, District : Mahasamund (C.G.) for the
offence punishable under Sections 420, 409, 34 of IPC, is
rejected .
Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to
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proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously.
9. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial
Court concerned for necessary information and compliance.
- Sd/-
(Ramesh Sinha)
CHIEF JUSTICE
Akhil