Chhattisgarh HC Grants Bail To Murder Accused, Citing No Specific FIR Allegation Against Him And Knife Blows By Juvenile Co-Accused

The applicant sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in connection with Crime No. 138/2025, registered for offences under Sections 296, 351(2), 115(2), 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The prosecution alleged that the applicant and two juvenile co-accused were using abusive language outside the complainant’s house; after the deceased objected, co-accused Karan Satnami inflicted knife injuries on him, and he later died.

The applicant contended that he did not participate in the assault, had no criminal antecedents, and had been in custody since 10 June 2025; the charge-sheet had been filed.

The State opposed bail, alleging a shared common intention, while acknowledging that Karan Satnami inflicted the knife injuries.

Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 was invoked as the provision for the applicant’s regular-bail application.

In considering bail, the Court assessed the nature and gravity of the offence, the applicant’s alleged role, the status of the investigation and charge-sheet, criminal antecedents, period of custody, and likely time to conclude the trial.

The Court weighed the seriousness of the alleged offence against the applicant’s individual role. It noted that the knife injuries were inflicted by co-accused Karan Satnami and that the FIR contained no specific allegation against the applicant.

It also took account of the filed charge-sheet, the applicant’s lack of criminal antecedents, his custody since 10 June 2025, and the likelihood that trial would take time. On those circumstances, the Court found it appropriate to grant bail without expressing an opinion on the merits.

Bail was subject to conditions prohibiting inducement, threat or promise to persons acquainted with the case; requiring conduct consistent with a fair and expeditious trial; and requiring attendance on every date fixed by the trial Court. The trial Court was directed to decide the case on its own merits.