Bail Granted on Grounds of Parity in Land Acquisition Fraud and Corruption Cases

The applicant, Shashikant Kurre, was arrested on 11.02.2026 in connection with Crime No. 30/2025.

The prosecution alleged that the applicant participated in a fraudulent scheme involving the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor project, where land already owned by the Government was sold back to the Government, and compensation was disbursed to wrongful persons.

The FIR resulted from four separate inquiries into distinct offences that were clubbed together.

The applicant filed this first bail application on the grounds of parity, noting that several co-accused persons had already been granted bail.

Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, based on the principles of parity and the stage of the trial.

Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, regarding the grant of regular bail.

The principle of parity, which suggests that similarly situated accused persons should be treated equally in the matter of granting bail unless there are distinguishing factors.

Sections 209, 269, 351, and 84 of the BNSS and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to impose conditions ensuring the applicant's presence during trial and to prevent the abuse of the liberty granted.

The Court observed that the nature and gravity of the offences—punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B of the IPC and Section 7(C) of the Prevention of Corruption Act—were serious.

The Court noted that several co-accused (Smt. Basanti Dhritlahrey, Dinesh Patel, et al.) had already been granted bail in 2025 and 2026.

The State counsel conceded that the applicant's case was identical to those who had been released.

The Court found that since the charge-sheet had already been filed, the applicant had no prior criminal record, and the trial was expected to take considerable time, there was no justification for continued incarceration.

The applicant was ordered to be released on a personal bond with two sureties, subject to strict conditions: he must not seek unnecessary adjournments, must appear personally for framing of charges and recording of statements, and faces proceedings under Section 209 of the BNS if he fails to appear following a proclamation.