RAJESH PURI GOSWAMI vs THE STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

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CGHC010388252026 2026:CGHC:45618
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
KUNAL
DEWANGAN
Digitally
signed by
KUNAL
DEWANGAN
MCRC No. 9520 of 2026
Rajesh Puri Goswami S/o Late Badri Puri Goswami Aged About 43 Years
R/o Gram, Surya Vihar Colony, Thana - Gandhinagar, Ambikapur, Distt.
Surguja Chhattisgarh
... Applicant(s)
versus
The State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police
Station - Gandhinagar, District Sarguja Chhattisgarh
... Non-Applicant(s)
For Applicant : Mr. N.K. Mehta, Advocate.
For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Sameeksha Gupta, Panel Lawyer
Hon'ble Mr. Rakesh Mohan Pandey, Judge
Order on Board
28/10/2026
1. The applicant has preferred this first bail application under Section
483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, as he has
been arrested in connection with Crime No. 480/2026, registered at
Police Station Gandhinagar, District Surguja (C.G.), for the offences
punishable under Sections 318(4), 319(2), 308(2), 61(2) and 62 of
the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that on 27.07.2026, the
complainant, Laxmikant Gaikwad, received a phone call from an

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unknown person who falsely introduced himself as an officer of the
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and demanded six bottles of liquor
and some cash for visiting officers, while threatening to implicate the
complainant in a case in the event of non-compliance. Suspecting
the caller's identity, the complainant did not provide any liquor or
money and lodged a report. During investigation, the applicant and
co-accused Saurabh Prajapati and Ranjit Gupta were
apprehended. Their mobile phones and other articles allegedly
connected with the offence were seized and the call detail records
and subscriber details were collected. After investigation, the
charge-sheet was filed before the competent Court.
3. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the applicant is
innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He
would further submit that the investigation is complete, charge-
sheet has already been filed. He would further submit that similarly
situated co-accused, namely Saurabh Prajapati and Ranjit Gupta,
have already been granted bail by this Court in MCRC No. 7964 of
2026 and MCRC No. 8899 of 2026, respectively, vide orders dated
05.10.2026 and the case of the applicant is similar to that of the
said co-accused. Accordingly, he prays for grant of bail on the
ground of parity.
4. On the other hand, learned State counsel would oppose the prayer
for grant of bail and submit that the applicant, along with the co-
accused, allegedly conspired to impersonate an ACB officer and
attempted to extort liquor and money from the complainant by

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threatening to implicate him in a false case. She would submit that
the allegations are serious and the applicant has one criminal
antecedent of the year 2021, therefore, the applicant is not entitled
to be released on bail.
5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case
diary.
6. Having considered the facts and circumstances of the case, nature
and gravity of allegations, the fact that the applicant has been in
judicial custody since 28.07.2026, the investigation has been
completed and the charge-sheet has already been filed, as well as
the fact that similarly situated co-accused, namely Saurabh
Prajapati and Ranjit Gupta, have already been granted bail by this
Court in MCRC No. 7964 of 2026 and MCRC No. 8899 of 2026
vide orders dated 05.10.2026 and also considering the criminal
antecedent of the applicant as stated by learned State counsel, thus
this Court is of the view that the applicant is also entitled to be
released on bail on the ground of parity.
7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant is allowed . It is
directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond
for a sum of Rs.50,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the
satisfaction of the concerned trial Court, he shall be released on bail
on the following conditions:-
(i) he shall not directly or indirectly make any
inducement, threat or promise to any person
acquainted with the facts of the case so as to

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dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court;
(ii) he shall not act in any manner which will be
prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial, &
(iii) he shall appear before the trial Court on each and
every date given to him by the said Court till disposal
of the trial.
- S/- Sd/-
(Rakesh Mohan Pandey)
Judge
Kunal