Anticipatory bail granted on parity, considering the co-accused’s statement and absence of criminal antecedents.

The applicants sought anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in Crime No. 277/2026, registered at Police Station Purani Bhilai for offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Chhattisgarh Rajya Suraksha Adhiniyam, 1990

The prosecution alleged that two vehicles were found transporting iron scrap from the Bhilai Steel Plant without authority

The applicants contended that they had been implicated on the basis of a co-accused’s memorandum statement and that the scrap had been taken to a yard owned by Girish Khandelwal, who had received anticipatory bail

The State did not dispute that the applicants’ implication was based on the co-accused’s statement, that Khandelwal had received anticipatory bail, or that there were no criminal antecedents against the applicants; it also reported that other co-accused had been granted bail

Whether the applicants were entitled to anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No. 277/2026

If so, on what terms and conditions should anticipatory bail be granted

The application was considered under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which provides for directions for grant of bail to a person apprehending arrest.

The Court identified no specific precedent or further legal test in its order; it stated that it had considered the facts and circumstances and the parties’ submissions without commenting on the merits

The Court considered that the applicants’ implication was attributed to a co-accused’s memorandum statement, that the State did not dispute the grant of anticipatory bail to the owner of the yard where the scrap was allegedly taken, and that there were no criminal antecedents against the applicants. It also noted that several co-accused had been granted regular or anticipatory bail

On the entirety of the circumstances, the Court found it appropriate to grant anticipatory bail, without expressing any view on the merits.

It directed that, in the event of arrest in Crime No. 277/2026, each applicant be released on anticipatory bail on executing a personal bond of ₹25,000 with one surety for the like sum, subject to conditions including availability for interrogation, non-interference with witnesses or the investigation, conduct consistent with a fair trial, and appearance before the trial court on every date fixed until conclusion of the trial.