Regular bail granted on grounds of parity, prolonged incarceration, and completion of investigation.

The applicant, Mukesh Verma, was arrested on October 3, 2025, in connection with Crime No. 420/2025 registered at Police Station Pulgaon, District Durg.

The prosecution alleged that the applicant, acting in collusion with Manoj Kumar Sahu and Rajat Verma, cheated several persons by promising government jobs in exchange for money.

Specifically, it was alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained Rs. 2,00,000 from the complainant on the pretext of securing a post as a Food Inspector.

Following an investigation, the police filed a charge-sheet for offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The applicant moved the High Court for regular bail, asserting his innocence and noting that no money transactions were reflected in his accounts.

Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, given the duration of his custody and the progress of the trial.

Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which governs the High Court's power to grant regular bail.

Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B, and 34 of the IPC regarding cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

Principle of Parity, as a co-accused had already been enlarged on bail.

Sections 269, 84, 209, and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and BNSS respectively, regarding court attendance and consequences of non-appearance.

The court's reasoning centered on the applicant's prolonged judicial custody since October 3, 2025, and the fact that the investigation had concluded with the filing of the charge-sheet.

The court noted the absence of criminal antecedents and the lack of documentary evidence showing money transfers to the applicant's account.

Crucially, the court applied the principle of parity, observing that co-accused Mahesh Heraou had already been granted regular bail by the same Court in M.Cr.C. No. 1522/2026.

Given that the trial was expected to take a considerable amount of time, the court determined that further incarceration was unnecessary, provided that stringent conditions were imposed to ensure the applicant's presence during trial and to prevent the abuse of liberty.

The High Court allowed the application and directed that Mukesh Verma be released on regular bail upon furnishing a personal bond with two sureties.

The release was made subject to several conditions: (i) an undertaking not to seek adjournments during witness testimony; (ii) mandatory appearance on all trial dates; (iii) personal presence during the framing of charges and recording of statements under Section 351 of BNSS; and (iv) the possibility of proceedings under Section 209 of BNS if bail is misused.