Urvashi Shrivas vs State Of Chhattisgarh

Ramesh Sinha, CJ

None appears; nor any representation is made on behalf of the applicant to press this application despite repeated calls.

On perusal of the pleadings of the bail application, the Court proceeds to consider and hear the anticipatory bail application of the applicant with the assistance of the State counsel.

This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.99/2026 registered at Police Station - Takhatpur District Bilaspur, C.G. for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 read with Section 34 of IPC.

As per the prosecution story, the present case has been registered on the basis of a written complaint lodged by Shashank Sheikh Shukla, Tahsildar, Takhatpur, before Police Station Takhatpur, District Bilaspur. It is alleged that in reference to the order of the Collector, Bilaspur dated 16.05.2025, an enquiry was directed regarding disbursement of financial assistance under the Social Security Scheme of the State Government. During the enquiry conducted by the office of Tahsil Takhatpur, a team comprising the concemed Tahsildar, the Station House Officer of Police Station Takhatpur and the Block Medical Officer was constituted to examine the related cases. During the course of enquiry it was noticed that in Merg Intimation No. 32/2023 recorded at Police Station Takhatpur, the name of the deceased was mentioned as Shobha Ram Kaushik and the death was recorded as suicidal, whereas the name of deceased Purshottam Shrivas was not mentioned, thereby creating suspicion regarding the actual cause of death. It was further revealed that the applicant Urvashi Shrivas, wife of late Purshottam Shrivas and resident of village Chanadongri, had filed an application before the Tahsildar Court in E-Court Revenue Case No. 202305070800039 on the basis of Merg Intimation No. 23/2022. During enquiry, statements of witnesses including Dukhiram Shrivas, father of the applicant, and other family members were recorded, which raised doubts regarding the alleged cause of death by snake bite. Upon verification of the documents including the merg intimation, map, panchanama and other records, it was alleged that the applicant Urvashi Shrivas, in connivance with other persons, obtained a government assistance amount of Rs.4,00,000/- by using false and fabricated documents. On the basis of the said complaint and enquiry,Police Station Takhatpur registered Crime No. 99/2026 against the applicant for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 read with Section 34 of the IPC.

It transpires from the record that the co-accused, namely, Mahendra Kumar Manhar, has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 11.03.2026 passed in MCRCA No. 378/2026, and therefore, the present applicant claims parity. It is also apparent from the prosecution case itself that the incident of snake bite leading to the death of the applicant's husband is admitted. The applicant, being a lady and a permanent resident of the locality, is not likely to abscond or tamper with the prosecution evidence and has undertaken to abide by all conditions that may be imposed by this Court.

Learned State counsel appearing for the non-applicant/State opposes the application for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant and submits that the applicant has already received compensation by the State Government on the pretext that her husband has died of snake bite, therefore, the present applicant is not entitled for grant of benefit of anticipatory bail.

I have heard learned counsel for the State and perused the materials available on record.

Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, nature of dispute, materials available on record, submission advanced by the learned counsel for the State and further taking into account that the co-accused, namely, Mahendra Kumar Manhar has already been granted anticipatory bail vide order dated 11.03.2026 passed by this Court in MCRCA No.378/2026, therefore, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant.

Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant - Urvashi Shrivas, on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions: -

(a) The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court.

(b) The applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial.

(c) The applicant shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to her by the said Court till disposal of the trial.

(d) The applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of their adhaar card along with a coloured postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court.

(e) The applicant shall not involve herself in any offence of similar nature in future.

The office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the applicant at her address as mentioned in the cause title.