Bail granted due to parity with co-accused, detention period, and no criminal antecedents.

The applicant, Sanjay Kumar Ramteke, filed a first bail application under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking regular bail in connection with Crime No. 327/2025.

This crime was registered at Police Station- City Kotwali, District- Dhamtari, for offences under Sections 204(2), 319(2), 331(3), 61(2), and 3(5) of B.N.S.

The case involves a written report filed on November 17, 2025, by complainant Dr. Dilip Rathod, alleging that 6-7 unknown persons, posing as Income Tax officers, unlawfully entered his residence, conducted a search without a warrant, and confiscated mobile phones from him and his family/staff.

The accused persons remained for 1.5 to 2 hours, showed only a suspicious identity card, caused no physical injury, and took no valuables before leaving.

The applicant has been in jail since December 17, 2025.

A similarly situated co-accused, Jitendra Baghel, was granted bail by the same Court in MCRC No. 2228/2026 on March 10, 2026.

The charge-sheet has been filed, and the trial is in progress.

The applicant has no criminal antecedent.

1. Whether the applicant, Sanjay Kumar Ramteke, should be granted regular bail under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

The court applied the principles governing the grant of regular bail, specifically considering the period of detention, the nature and gravity of the alleged offense, and the principle of parity, which allows for similar treatment for identically situated co-accused.

The court also considered the filing of the charge-sheet and the absence of criminal antecedents.

The application was filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

The court analyzed the facts by noting the applicant's detention since December 17, 2025, and acknowledged that the charge-sheet had been filed before the competent court, indicating the completion of the investigation phase concerning the filing of the charge-sheet.

A crucial factor in the court's reasoning was the principle of parity, as a similarly situated co-accused, Jitendra Baghel, had already been granted bail by the same High Court on March 10, 2026, in MCRC No. 2228/2026.

The State Counsel concurred with the consideration of the parity principle.

Furthermore, the court specifically noted the absence of any criminal antecedents against the applicant, which weighed in favor of granting bail.

Despite the State's concerns regarding the serious nature of the offenses, ongoing investigation, and possibility of influencing witnesses, the court balanced these concerns against the period of detention, the fact of the charge-sheet being filed, the lack of criminal history, and the parity with the co-accused.

The applicant is to be released on furnishing a personal bond with two sureties, in the like sum, to the satisfaction of the concerned Court, subject to specific conditions related to court attendance, non-adjournment, and refraining from misusing liberty of bail.