The Chhattisgarh High Court has granted anticipatory bail to an accused apprehending arrest in a criminal case relating to alleged irregularities in the transportation of sponge iron, while observing that a co-accused had already been granted similar relief and the trial was likely to take considerable time for conclusion. 

The bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha observed that since the co-accused had already been granted anticipatory bail and the trial may take considerable time, the present case was fit for grant of anticipatory bail. 

The case was registered at Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund, under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 316(4), 317(2), 318(4), 336(2), 338, 340 and 3(5). The anticipatory bail plea was filed under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. 

According to the prosecution, police officials acting on confidential information intercepted two trucks near Basna Krishi Upaj Mandi on February 25, 2026. The trucks were allegedly transporting sponge iron with tax invoices purportedly issued by M/s Jai Bhole Ispat, Raigarh, in favour of M/s Shri Bajrang Bali Enterprises, Raipur. Authorities alleged that the drivers failed to produce weighment slips and that one of the invoices allegedly did not contain an E-way Bill number, leading to registration of offences against the applicant. 

The applicant argued that the accused had been falsely implicated and pointed out that his name was not mentioned in the FIR. It was further submitted that a co-accused, Abdul Salim, had already been granted anticipatory bail by the High Court in April 2026 and that the present applicant stood on similar footing. The defence also contended that the trial was likely to take substantial time to conclude. 

The High Court directed that in the event of arrest, the applicant be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond and one surety to the satisfaction of the arresting officer. 

The Court also imposed several conditions, including cooperation with trial proceedings, non-interference with witnesses, regular appearance before the trial court, submission of Aadhaar-related identification documents, and a direction not to involve himself in similar offences in future.

Case Details

Case Title: Amit Sharma Versus State Of Chhattisgarh 

Case No.: M.Cr.C(A) No.707 of 2026

Date: 08.05.2026

Counsel For Petitioner: Sabyasachi Bhaduri, Advocate

Counsel For Respondent: Saumya Rai, Dy. G.A.

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