Parity with a co-accused already granted relief justifies the grant of anticipatory bail.

The Applicants, comprising Directors and staff of Shubh Commercials (an authorized Isuzu dealership), sought anticipatory bail following the registration of Crime No. 74/2025

The complainant alleged that in December 2022, he purchased an Isuzu Hi-Lander vehicle for Rs. 23,05,521, which was represented by the dealership as a new 2022 model

It was later discovered that the vehicle was manufactured in 2021 and was allegedly a second-hand demo vehicle

The Applicants were charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and acting with common intention

Whether the Applicants are entitled to the grant of anticipatory bail under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) based on the principle of parity with a co-accused and the nature of the allegations

The Court primarily applied Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, regarding the High Court's power to grant anticipatory bail

It further relied on the judicial principle of parity, which mandates similar treatment for similarly situated accused persons, referencing a prior order in M.Cr.C(A) No. 890/2025

The substantive offences considered were Sections 318(4) (Cheating) and 3(5) (Joint Liability/Common Intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

The Court noted that the co-accused, Mohan Mandhan, had already been granted anticipatory bail by a coordinate bench on June 23, 2025

Upon review, the Court found the present Applicants to be "identically situated" to the protected co-accused

The Court weighed the fact that the State Counsel did not dispute the parity between the parties

Additionally, the Court considered the procedural delay, noting that the trial was likely to consume a significant amount of time before conclusion

Consequently, the Court determined that custodial interrogation was not necessitated under the circumstances

It directed that in the event of arrest, the Applicants be released upon executing a personal bond with one surety each

The holding was made subject to five specific conditions: (a) no tampering with evidence or witnesses; (b) no prejudice to the trial; (c) mandatory appearance on all trial dates; (d) verification of Aadhaar and identity credentials by the trial court; and (e) a prohibition against committing similar offences in the future