Anticipatory bail granted on grounds of parity with co-accused awarded relief by the Supreme Court.

The applicant filed a first anticipatory bail application apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No. 230/2025 for alleged offenses involving extortion, organized crime, and illegal debt collection

The prosecution alleged that during a raid on the residence of co-accused Rohit Singh Tomar, police recovered blank signed cheques, stamp papers, and land documents used to extract excessive interest from borrowers through intimidation

The applicant, an employee of the main accused, was allegedly used to deposit interest amounts and assist in money recovery

The applicant sought parity with co-accused Rohit Singh Tomar, who was granted relief by the Supreme Court in SLP (Crl.) No. 20358/2025

Whether the applicant is entitled to the grant of anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, based on the principle of parity with a co-accused who was granted relief by the Supreme Court

The court applied Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which governs the directions for grant of bail to persons apprehending arrest

It considered the penal provisions under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 111(1) (organized crime) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Protection of Debtors Act, 1937

The court also relied on the principle of judicial parity, acknowledging the precedent set by the Supreme Court's order in Rohit Singh Tomar v. State of Chhattisgarh (SLP (Crl.) No. 20358/2025)

The court examined the facts and the state’s opposition to the bail plea. It noted that while the state counsel opposed the bail, they did not dispute the material fact that the primary co-accused, Rohit Singh Tomar, had been granted relief by the Apex Court on February 20, 2026

Relying on the circumstances of the case and the materials on record, the court determined that the applicant was entitled to similar relief

The court reasoned that given the Supreme Court's intervention for the co-accused, the applicant met the threshold for anticipatory bail, provided specific conditions were met to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation and trial

It directed that in the event of arrest, the applicant be released upon executing a personal bond and one surety, subject to the conditions that he: (a) does not induce or threaten witnesses; (b) does not prejudice the trial; (c) appears before the trial court on all dates; (d) submits verified identification (Aadhar and photographs); and (e) refrains from committing similar future offenses