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

Order Date: 01/09/2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Applicant Jaleshwar Prasad Kenwat, 37, electrician at J.S.W. Power Plant, versus State of Chhattisgarh represented by S.H.O., P.S. Akaltara.
  • Incident: On 18 July 2026, alleged theft of 38 copper plates (small and large pieces) valued at approx Rs.2,00,000 from J.S.W. Power Plant during night shift. Theft discovered on 19 July 2026 by patrolling officers Akhilesh, Premchand Kumar, Ajay Yadav near under‑construction drain.
  • Arrest: Kenwat apprehended, seized with copper plates, arrested on 19 July 2026 at 02:20 pm, produced before court. Co‑accused Santosh Rajak, Dinesh Rathore, Gopesh Sahu also implicated; they have been granted bail earlier.
  • Charges: Offences under Sections 306, 331(4), 317(2), 3(5) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Charge‑sheet filed.
  • Arguments: Applicant claimed innocence, said plates were stored inside plant, he was on night duty, seizure memo prepared later; highlighted clean record and that co‑accused already on bail. State counsel argued charge‑sheet filed and theft involvement.

Final Outcome

  • Court held that despite seriousness, applicant has no criminal antecedent and other co‑accused are on bail; therefore bail is appropriate.
  • Bail granted on condition of personal bond with two sureties, and compliance with four attendance and conduct conditions (no adjournment requests, presence before trial court on specified dates, possible prosecution under Section 269 BNSS for non‑appearance, and provisions for proclamation under Section 84 BNSS and Section 209 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).

Topics: Bail, Criminal Theft, Judicial Order