Anticipatory Bail Granted to News Correspondent Based on Parity with Co-accused Similarly Placed

The applicant, a news correspondent for "Buland Chhattisgarh," sought anticipatory bail regarding Crime No. 165/2025.

The prosecution alleged that on October 9, 2025, four individuals entered the office of the Additional Director, Directorate of Public Relations, Raipur, and engaged in a verbal and physical altercation with the complainant after claiming one of them had been manhandled the previous day.

The applicant’s colleagues, Brijbhaal @ Manoj Pandey (Editor) and Abhay Shaha, had already been granted anticipatory bail by the High Court in related applications.

The trial court rejected the applicant's bail plea on June 6, 2026.

1. Whether the applicant is entitled to the protection of anticipatory bail under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, given the parity with co-accused persons and the nature of the allegations.

Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which governs the grant of anticipatory bail.

Sections 324(4), 221, 132, 296, 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 3(2) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The principle of parity, noting that similarly situated co-accused had already been released on bail.

The Court examined the applicant's role as a news correspondent and noted that the primary figures involved in the incident, including the Editor of the newspaper, had already been granted anticipatory bail by the same Court in MCRCA No. 1687/2025 and 1851/2025.

The Court observed that the investigation and subsequent trial were likely to be time-consuming.

Since the applicant shared a similar legal standing to those already granted relief and there was no immediate necessity for custodial interrogation cited that outweighed the right to personal liberty, the Court found the applicant eligible for protection.

The Court held that in the event of arrest, the applicant shall be released upon executing a personal bond and one surety, subject to conditions including non-interference with witnesses, regular appearance before the trial court, and the submission of verified Aadhaar credentials.