Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh, Bilaspur

Order Date: 08.07.2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Bank of Baroda, represented by Senior Branch Manager Arvind Kumar Banjara, Rajkishore Nagar Branch, Bilaspur.
  • Respondents: State of Chhattisgarh, represented by Station House Officers of Police Stations Sarkanda, Tarbahar, etc.
  • Petitions filed: CRMP No. 1020/2021, CRMP No. 1030/2021, CRMP No. 1041/2021.
  • Relief sought: Interim release (Supurdnama) of original loan account documents and related banking papers seized during investigations of Crime Nos. 816/2019, 567/2019, and 245/2019.
  • Specific loan accounts and documents:
  • Pavitra Sikka & Nini Sikka Mortgage Loan (Account No. 32220400000147) – 9 documents.
  • Bilaspur Casting Industries Cash Credit (Account No. 322200000162) – 16 documents.
  • Aditya Culture Cash Credit (Account No. 32220500000025) – 8 documents.
  • Unique Creation (Account No. 32220500000033) – complete documents.
  • Bilaspur Metalics (Account No. 32220500000028) – complete documents.
  • Royal Fabricate (Account No. 32220400000156) – complete documents.
  • Start‑up Engineer Partner (Account No. 32220500000013) – complete documents.
  • Additional borrowers and documents as listed in the petitions.
  • Alleged offences: Cheating, forgery, conspiracy under IPC Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120‑B and, for one case, Section 34.
  • Petitioner’s argument: Original documents are required for recovery proceedings, enforcement of security interest, maintenance of banking records, and other statutory functions; petitioner willing to furnish an undertaking to produce originals when directed.
  • State’s argument: Original loan documents constitute material evidence essential for trial; their custody with prosecution is necessary to preserve evidentiary value; trial court correctly declined interim release.

Final Outcome

  • The Court found no illegality, impropriety, or perversity in the trial court’s order; the seized loan documents remain material evidence.
  • All three petitions are dismissed.
  • Petitioners are granted liberty to pursue further legal remedies.

Topics: Banking Document Custody, Criminal Evidence