Chhattisgarh HC Grants Anticipatory Bail To Professor Accused Of Posting Victim Interview, Noting Complaint Included No Electronic Evidence

The applicant, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science, sought anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No. 703 of 2026, registered at Ambikapur Police Station under Sections 196(1), 352, 353(2) and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (“BNS”).

The complaint alleged that the applicant and others circulated social-media material that affected a victim’s privacy, used abusive language, and promoted division or hatred between groups.

The applicant denied uploading unlawful material and argued that the FIR was a counterblast; the State and the objector opposed bail, relying on the seriousness of the allegations and an asserted criminal antecedent.

The State acknowledged that the case diary contained neither a record of police having examined the seized pen drive nor a transcription of its contents, and that no electronic evidence had been produced with the complaint to show that the applicant uploaded the alleged video.

The application was made under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (“BNSS”), which provides for a direction for grant of bail to a person apprehending arrest.

The alleged offences were under Sections 196(1), 352, 353(2) and 111 of the BNS.

The Court considered the nature of the allegations and the material available on record when deciding whether to grant anticipatory bail; it cited no precedent or further legal test.

The Court considered the allegations concerning the social-media video and the competing submissions, but noted that no electronic evidence accompanied the complaint to establish that the applicant had uploaded the material.

It also took account of the absence of any case-diary record that police had examined the seized pen drive or transcribed its contents.

Having regard to those evidentiary gaps and the applicant’s employment as an Assistant Professor, the Court found it appropriate to grant anticipatory bail, without expressing a view on the merits.

The applicant must remain available for interrogation as required and must not induce, threaten or promise anything to any person acquainted with the facts so as to dissuade them from disclosing those facts to the Court or police.