Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh, Bilaspur (Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha)

Order Date: 23.06.2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Applicant – Gurmeet Singh Wadhwa, aged about 64, resident of Vaishali Nagar, Durg, Chhattisgarh; Respondent – State of Chhattisgarh through Station House Officer, P.S. Supela, District Durg; Objector – represented by senior advocate Manoj Paranjpe.
  • Nature of Proceeding: First bail application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
  • Allegations: Accused of blackmailing, abusing, and extorting the General Manager (Akhil Madame) of Sparsh Hospital Bhilai for a sum of Rs 20,00,000 and threatening to shut down the hospital’s parking, which could lead to hospital closure.
  • Legal Provisions Invoked: Sections 308(4) of the BNS and Section 3 of the Chhattisgarh Medical Practitioners and Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010.
  • Timeline: Incident alleged to have occurred on 05.01.2026; FIR registered on 25.04.2026; applicant detained on 04.05.2026; charge‑sheet filed; bail application filed thereafter.
  • Counsel Positions: Applicant’s counsel argued innocence and delay in FIR registration; State counsel and objector opposed bail, citing the filed charge‑sheet.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, after considering the gravity of allegations, the filing of charge‑sheet, and the applicant’s custody since 04.05.2026, granted regular bail.
  • Conditions Imposed:

1. Applicant to furnish a personal bond with two sureties in a sum satisfactory to the court.

2. Undertaking not to seek adjournments when witnesses are present; default may be treated as abuse of liberty of bail.

3. Mandatory personal or counsel‑through presence before the trial court on each date fixed; absence without sufficient cause may invoke Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

4. If bail is misused, a proclamation under Section 84 of BNS may be issued; failure to appear after proclamation will lead to proceedings under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

5. Presence required in person for opening of case, framing of charge, and recording of statement under Section 351 of BNS; deliberate absence may be treated as abuse of liberty of bail.

  • Certified copy of the order to be sent to the concerned trial court for compliance.

Topics: Bail, Criminal Law