After Cross-Complaints Over Village Clash, Chhattisgarh HC Grants Pre-Arrest Bail To Three Assault Accused

The applications arose from Crime No. 225/2026, registered at Police Station Mungeli under Sections 115(2), 191(2), 296, 351(3) and 117(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.

The prosecution alleged that, following an altercation near a village well, the applicants and others abused and threatened the complainant and assaulted him with a wooden spade handle, causing injuries.

The applicants denied the allegations and relied, among other matters, on a counter-report lodged by their side concerning the same incident, anticipatory bail granted to co-accused persons, and their lack of criminal antecedents.

The State opposed the applications but confirmed that the applicants’ party had also lodged a report arising from the incident.

The applicants sought anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

The applications were made under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which provides for anticipatory bail.

The alleged offences were under Sections 115(2), 191(2), 296, 351(3) and 117(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.

The order cites no precedent or further legal test; it records that the Court considered the facts and circumstances, the nature of the allegations, and the parties’ submissions in deciding whether to grant relief.

The Court considered the competing submissions, including the applicants’ reliance on the counter-report concerning the same incident, the bail granted to co-accused persons, and the applicants’ lack of criminal antecedents, alongside the State’s opposition and its confirmation that a report had been lodged by the applicants’ party.

Having considered the circumstances and the nature of the allegations, the Court concluded, without commenting on the merits, that anticipatory bail was appropriate.

It directed that, in the event of arrest in Crime No. 225/2026, each applicant be released on anticipatory bail upon furnishing a personal bond of ₹25,000 with one surety in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the arresting officer.

The applicants must remain available for interrogation when required, refrain from influencing persons acquainted with the case or prejudicing a fair and expeditious trial.