Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur

Order Date: 05/10/2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Applicant – Deepak Chakradhari, S/o Manohar Ram, 28‑year‑old daily‑wage Computer Operator (suspended) at District Cooperative Central Bank, Ambikapur; Non‑Applicant – State of Chhattisgarh through Station House Officer, Sitapur, District Surguja.
  • Proceedings: First bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (MCRC No. 7476 of 2026). The offence is registered as Crime No. 188/2026 at Police Station Sitapur, District Surguja, under Sections 3(5), 316(5), 318 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
  • Allegations: A written complaint by the In‑charge Chief Accountant of the District Cooperative Central Bank alleged that the applicant, together with co‑accused, fraudulently obtained signatures of 127 farmers and sanctioned loans in their names, resulting in an alleged misappropriation of Rs 1,92,82,096.
  • Custody: Applicant has been in custody since 19‑06‑2026; charge‑sheet filed before the competent court.
  • Defense: Counsel argued that the applicant was a daily‑wage operator with no authority to sanction loans, derived no pecuniary benefit, and that documentary evidence is in the bank’s custody. He cited that 61 farmers submitted affidavits confirming loan availing and repayment, and highlighted that several co‑accused have already been granted anticipatory or interim bail (Lalita Sinha – 13.07.2026; Jogiram – 20.07.2026; Sainath Kerketta – 12.08.2026; Shivshankar Soni – Supreme Court SLP (Crl.) No. 14365/2026 on 13.08.2026; Bhupendra Singh – Supreme Court interim bail).
  • Prosecution: Opposed bail, asserting material collected during investigation implicates the applicant and that farmer statements do not support the defence.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, after hearing both sides and reviewing the case diary, allowed the regular bail application on the ground of parity with co‑accused.
  • Conditions: Applicant must execute a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of equal amount, and adhere to:

1. No inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts to dissuade disclosure.

2. No action prejudicial to a fair and expeditious trial.

3. Appear before the trial court on every date until disposal of the case.

Topics: Criminal Law, Banking Fraud