Supreme Court – Daily Orders
Pawan Agrawal vs State Of Chhattisgarh on 25 March, 2026
Author: Dipankar Datta
Bench: Dipankar Datta
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL No. /2026
[Arising out of SLP (Crl.) No.14553/2025]
PAWAN AGRAWAL APPELLANT
VERSUS
STATE OF CHHATTISGARH
AND ANR. RESPONDENTS
ORDER
1. Leave granted.
2. The High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur, by
the impugned judgment and order dated 21st
August, 2025, has rejected the appellant’s prayer
for bail in anticipation of arrest.
3. Appellant figures as an accused in FIR No.300
of 2025 dated 05th May, 2025 registered at Police
Signature Not Verified
Station Balco, District Korba, Chhattisgarh under
Digitally signed by
SWETA BALODI
Date: 2026.03.28
13:14:14 IST
Reason: Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.14553/2025 1
Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal
Code, 18601 with Sections 120-B and 34 of IPC, 1860
added later on.
4. We have heard learned counsel appearing for
the parties.
5. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent
submits that chargesheet has not been filed and the
investigation is still continuing.
6. It is not in dispute that the appellant has joined
investigation in terms of the earlier orders of this
Court.
7. In such view of the matter and having regard to
the nature of allegations, we are of the considered
opinion that the appellant’s detention for custodial
interrogation is not necessary and that he may be
admitted to an order for grant of bail in anticipation
of arrest.
8. Accordingly, we set aside the impugned
judgment and order.
1 IPC
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.14553/2025 2
9. It is directed that in the event of the appellant
being arrested, he shall be released on bail on terms
and conditions to be imposed by the trial court.
10. Since the investigation is yet to conclude, we
direct that if the investigating officer calls upon the
appellant to join the investigation, he shall do so by
attending the police station failing which liberty is
granted to bring any such omission to the notice of
the trial court and seek cancellation of bail.
11. Needless to observe, the appellant shall not,
directly or indirectly, by making inducement, threat
or promise, dissuade any person acquainted with
the facts of the case from disclosing such facts to
any police officer or to the court.
12. We repeat, if the appellant breaches any of the
terms and conditions for grant of bail, the trial court
shall be free to cancel the same.
13. We clarify that the observations made in this
order and grant of bail to the appellant in
anticipation of arrest will not be treated as findings
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.14553/2025 3
on the merits of the case.
14. The appeal is, accordingly, allowed on the
aforesaid terms.
15. Pending application(s), if any, stand disposed
of.
……………………………………..J.
(DIPANKAR DATTA)
……………………………………..J.
(SATISH CHANDRA SHARMA)
New Delhi;
March 25, 2026.
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.14553/2025 4
ITEM NO.1 COURT NO.8 SECTION II-C
S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.)
No.14553/2025
[Arising out of impugned final judgment and order
dated 21-08-2025 in MCRCA No.1269/2025 passed by
the High Court of Chhatisgarh at Bilaspur]
PAWAN AGRAWAL Petitioner
VERSUS
STATE OF CHHATTISGARH & ANR. Respondents
I.A. No.234126/2025-EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF
THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT
I.A. No.234125/2025-EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.
I.A. No.332934/2025-EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.
Date : 25-03-2026 This matter was called on for
hearing today.
CORAM : HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE DIPANKAR DATTA
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SATISH CHANDRA SHARMA
For Petitioner(s) : Dr. Rajesh Pandey, Sr. Adv.
Ms. Ayushi Pandey, Adv.
Mr. Rishabh, Adv.
Ms. Aswathi M.K., AOR
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.14553/2025 5
For Respondent(s) : Ms. Sugandha Jain,
Standing Counsel, Adv.
Mr. Prabodh Kumar, AOR
Mr. Kushagra Sinha, AOR
Mr. Kushagra Sinha, Adv.
UPON hearing the counsel the Court made
the following
O R D E R
1. Leave granted.
2. The appeal is allowed in terms of the signed order.
3. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
(MANIK KUMAR) (SUDHIR KUMAR SHARMA)
SENIOR PERSONAL ASSISTANT COURT MASTER (NSH)
(Signed order is placed on the file)
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.14553/2025 6
