1 Digitally 2026:CGHC:24643 signed by PRAKASH PRAKASH KUMARKUMAR Date: NAFR 2026.06.18 16:16:02 +0530 HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3255 of 2026 Yashwant Baghel @ Pawan Baghel S/o Sanjay Baghel, Aged About 18 Years 3 Months, R/o Sevari, Hardilogra, P.S. Rajpur, District- Balrampur-Ramanujganj (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O. Police Station Rajpur District-Balrampur- Ramanujganj (C.G.), ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Pushkar Sinha, Advocate For State/Respondent : Ms. Priya Sharma, P.L. Hon'ble Shri Justice Radhakishan Agrawal Order on Board 18/06/2026 1. This is first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 for grant of regular bail to applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.241/2025, registered at Police Station - Rajpur, District - Balrampur-Ramanujganj, (C.G.) for commission of offence punishable under Sections 137(2), 70(1), 70(2), 65(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 4 and 6 of POCSO Act, 2012. 2. In compliance of order dated 10.04.2026, the victim is present along with her parents through virtual mode from the concerned DLSA, and on being asked, they have raised ‘no objection’ on the application filed by the applicant for grant of bail. 2

3. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 24/10/2025, a written complaint was lodged by the mother of victim at Police Station Rajpur and stated that on 20/10/2025, the victim left her residence without prior intimation to visit her paternal grandmother's house but couldn't return. On 22/10/2025 the victim was brought to home by her father. Upon being questioned regarding her missing, the victim stated that on 20/10/2025 at about 7:00 PM, she was bursting firecrackers near the water tank outside her house. At that time, the applicant/accused along with his friends co-accused Rinku and Raju, came to her and asked her to accompany them towards the nursery. When she refused, the accused persons forcibly attempted to take her with them. Thereupon, the applicant/accused covered her mouth with his hand and took her near the nursery. Thereafter, all three accused persons committed forcible sexual intercourse with her. After the incident, they left her near her house and fled from the spot. On the basis of written complaint lodged, the report and aforesaid offences have been registered against the applicant and he has been arrested.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the victim (PW-1) has been examined before the trial Court and copy of her statement has been filed in this bail application, wherein she has clearly stated that the present applicant - Yashwant Baghel @ Pawan Baghel has not established any physical relationship with her. He further submits that applicant is in jail since 25.10.2025, charge-sheet has already been filed and conclusion of trial may take some time, hence, applicant may be released on bail. 5. Per contra, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application. 3 6. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the statement of the victim and further considering the fact that victim and her parents have raised ‘no objection’ on grant of bail to the applicant, further, conclusion of the trial may take some time, without commenting on the merits of the case, I am inclined to grant bail to the applicant.

8. Accordingly, the application is allowed and it is directed that the applicant shall be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.20,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the trial Court. The applicant is directed to appear before the concerned trial Court on each and every date to be given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. It is made clear that any observation made by this Court in this order shall not affect the trial of the case. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Radhakishan Agrawal) Judge Prakash

1 Digitally 2026:CGHC:24643 signed by PRAKASH PRAKASH KUMARKUMAR Date: NAFR 2026.06.18 16:16:02 +0530 HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3255 of 2026 Yashwant Baghel @ Pawan Baghel S/o Sanjay Baghel, Aged About 18 Years 3 Months, R/o Sevari, Hardilogra, P.S. Rajpur, District- Balrampur-Ramanujganj (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O. Police Station Rajpur District-Balrampur- Ramanujganj (C.G.), ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Pushkar Sinha, Advocate For State/Respondent : Ms. Priya Sharma, P.L. Hon'ble Shri Justice Radhakishan Agrawal Order on Board 18/06/2026 1. This is first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 for grant of regular bail to applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.241/2025, registered at Police Station - Rajpur, District - Balrampur-Ramanujganj, (C.G.) for commission of offence punishable under Sections 137(2), 70(1), 70(2), 65(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 4 and 6 of POCSO Act, 2012. 2. In compliance of order dated 10.04.2026, the victim is present along with her parents through virtual mode from the concerned DLSA, and on being asked, they have raised ‘no objection’ on the application filed by the applicant for grant of bail. 2

3. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 24/10/2025, a written complaint was lodged by the mother of victim at Police Station Rajpur and stated that on 20/10/2025, the victim left her residence without prior intimation to visit her paternal grandmother's house but couldn't return. On 22/10/2025 the victim was brought to home by her father. Upon being questioned regarding her missing, the victim stated that on 20/10/2025 at about 7:00 PM, she was bursting firecrackers near the water tank outside her house. At that time, the applicant/accused along with his friends co-accused Rinku and Raju, came to her and asked her to accompany them towards the nursery. When she refused, the accused persons forcibly attempted to take her with them. Thereupon, the applicant/accused covered her mouth with his hand and took her near the nursery. Thereafter, all three accused persons committed forcible sexual intercourse with her. After the incident, they left her near her house and fled from the spot. On the basis of written complaint lodged, the report and aforesaid offences have been registered against the applicant and he has been arrested.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the victim (PW-1) has been examined before the trial Court and copy of her statement has been filed in this bail application, wherein she has clearly stated that the present applicant - Yashwant Baghel @ Pawan Baghel has not established any physical relationship with her. He further submits that applicant is in jail since 25.10.2025, charge-sheet has already been filed and conclusion of trial may take some time, hence, applicant may be released on bail. 5. Per contra, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application. 3 6. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the statement of the victim and further considering the fact that victim and her parents have raised ‘no objection’ on grant of bail to the applicant, further, conclusion of the trial may take some time, without commenting on the merits of the case, I am inclined to grant bail to the applicant.

8. Accordingly, the application is allowed and it is directed that the applicant shall be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.20,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the trial Court. The applicant is directed to appear before the concerned trial Court on each and every date to be given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. It is made clear that any observation made by this Court in this order shall not affect the trial of the case. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Radhakishan Agrawal) Judge Prakash