Regular bail granted for alleged official impersonation citing lack of antecedents and duration of custody.

The applicant was arrested on February 21, 2026, in connection with Crime No. 66/2026 registered at Police Station City Kotwali, Dhamtari.

The prosecution alleged that the applicant attempted to evade toll tax at a plaza near Aamatalab Road by affixing a "National Crime Control Organization" logo on his Scorpio vehicle and possessing an identity card designating him as the "Vice President" of said organization to misrepresent himself as an authorized official.

The applicant was charged under Sections 204, 205, and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The applicant argued he was a bona fide member of a registered NGO, "Ek Naya Savera," and had been misled by a social media advertisement regarding the organization's objectives.

Whether the applicant is entitled to the grant of regular bail under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, considering the nature of the allegations and his period of incarceration.

Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which provides the High Court with discretionary power to grant bail to an accused in custody.

Substantive offences were registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Sections 204 (personating a public servant), 205 (false personation for the purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution), and 336(3) (related to forgery or fraudulent misrepresentation).

The Court noted that the applicant is a 28-year-old individual with no prior criminal antecedents.

Although the State Counsel opposed bail on the grounds that the charge-sheet had not yet been filed, the Court observed that the applicant had already been in judicial custody since February 21, 2026.

The Court reasoned that since the conclusion of the trial would likely take a significant amount of time, and given the specific facts and circumstances of the case—including the lack of previous criminal history—the applicant’s continued detention was not necessary.

The bail is subject to several conditions: the applicant must not seek adjournments during witness examination, must appear personally at every hearing unless excused (or face proceedings under Section 269 of the BNS), and must be present for the framing of charges and recording of statements under Section 351 of the BNSS.

Any misuse of liberty or failure to appear after a proclamation under Section 84 of the BNSS will trigger proceedings under Section 209 of the BNS.