Specific allegations and prima facie material of active participation justify denial of bail.

The applicant was arrested in Crime No. 34/2026, registered at City Kotwali, Jashpur, for alleged offences under Sections 318(4), 61(2), 238, 336(3), 338 and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The complaint alleged that the applicant and co-accused Muneshwar took money from the complainant on the promise of providing a government job; other persons also alleged similar deception.

The applicant argued that no financial transaction between him and the complainant was established, that the principal allegations concerned Muneshwar, that the charge-sheet had been filed, and that he had been in custody since 7 June 2026.

The State opposed bail, alleging the applicant’s active involvement in taking money from the complainant and others.

1. Whether the applicant should be granted regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in view of the allegations and material in the case diary.

2. Whether the filing of the charge-sheet and the applicant’s asserted lack of criminal antecedents warranted bail despite the alleged prima facie involvement.

The application was made under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which the Court identified as the basis for seeking regular bail.

The Court stated that, at the bail stage, its role is confined to verifying whether a prima facie case exists; it also held that the allegations’ veracity could not be evaluated at that stage on the basis of the defence raised.

The charged offences were under Sections 318(4), 61(2), 238, 336(3), 338 and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The Court found specific and direct allegations that the applicant acted in concert with Muneshwar to obtain money by promising government jobs, and considered the case-diary material indicative, prima facie, of active participation.

It held that the filing of the charge-sheet did not absolve the applicant and declined to assess the truth of the allegations against the defence at the bail stage.

Considering the alleged overt act and gravity of the offence, the Court found no basis to grant bail at that stage.

No further directions or relief were granted.