Supreme Court - Daily Orders
Praveen Agrawal vs State Of Chhattisgarh on 23 February, 2026
Author: Sanjay Karol
Bench: Sanjay Karol
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. OF 2026
(Arising out of SLP (CRL.) No.1241 of 2026)
PRAVEEN AGRAWAL APPELLANT(S)
VERSUS
STATE OF CHHATTISGARH RESPONDENT(S)
AND
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. OF 2026
(Arising out of SLP (CRL.) No.1922 of 2026)
VINOD KUMAR AGRAWAL APPELLANT(S)
VERSUS
STATE OF CHHATTISGARH RESPONDENT(S)
O R D E R
SLP (CRL.) No.1241 of 2026
1. Leave granted.
2. The appellant challenges the judgment and order dated 10.12.2025 in CRA No.2544/2025 titled “Praveen Agrawal vs. State of Chhattisgarh” passed by the High Court of Chhatisgarh at Bilaspur.
3. On 27.01.2026, this Court passed the following order:-
“1. Learned counsel for the petitioner invites our Signature Not Verified attention towards the testimony of PW-1 (pg 174) Digitally signed by RAJNI MUKHI Date: 2026.02.26 more specifically the cross examination part 19:35:53 IST Reason: thereof (para 17 at pg. 181).
2. Issue notice.
3. Mr. Apoorv Shukla, learned Advocate-on-Record 1 accepts notice on behalf of State of Chhattisgarh.
Hence, the formal service of notice on the said respondent is waived.
4. In the meanwhile, the respondent shall file counter affidavit within a period of two weeks. Rejoinder affidavit thereto, if any, be filed within one week.
5. In the event of arrest in connection with FIR No. 103/2025 dated 06.05.2025 registered at Police Station New Rajpur, District Balrampur, the petitioner shall be released on bail on the appropriate terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Investigating Officer/Arresting Officer.
6. Needless to add, if the investigation is not complete in all respects, the petitioner(s) shall fully cooperate, and if the challan/charge sheet is filed, he would maintain good conduct and shall not attempt to influence any of the witnesses in any manner till the completion of the trial.
7. The petitioner shall appear before the investigating officer on 12.02.2026 at 11:00 am and thereafter, as and when called upon. Since trial is in progress, he shall not take any unnecessary adjournments and cooperate in investigation.
8. List the matter on 23.02.2026.”
4. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and also perused the materials available on record.
5. It is not in dispute that the conditions stand fully complied with; the appellant has cooperated during the investigation; he has not threatened or intimidated any of the witnesses; or has tried to influence the investigation in any manner.
6. We have noticed the nature of crime and the manner in which it was allegedly committed.
7. We allow the present appeal by confirming the order dated 27.01.2026, passed by this Court, with a direction to the appellant to continue to cooperate during the investigation/trial and not to take any unnecessary adjournment. Also, the appellant shall report before the 2 Investigating Officer every alternate Monday, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and on subsequent dates as and when called upon, till such time the investigation is complete in all respects.
8. If the Investigating Officer/Arresting Officer/Trial Court feels that the investigation/trial is delayed on account of the appellant’s conduct, it shall be open to the Investigating Officer/Arresting Officer/Trial Court to take appropriate steps in accordance with the law, including cancellation of bail.
9. The impugned judgment and order dated 10.12.2025 in CRA No.2544/2025 titled “Praveen Agrawal vs. State of Chhattisgarh” passed by the High Court of Chhatisgarh at Bilaspur is set aside.
10. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of. SLP (CRL.) No.1922 of 2026
1. Leave granted.
2. The appellant challenges the judgment and order dated 10.12.2025 in CRA No.2549/2025 titled “Vinod Kumar Agrawal vs. State of Chhattisgarh” passed by the High Court of Chhatisgarh at Bilaspur.
3. On 06.02.2026, this Court passed the following order:-
“1. Issue notice.
2. Mr. Apoorv Shukla, learned Advocate-on-Record, accepts notice on behalf of State of Chhattisgarh.
Hence, the formal service of notice on the said respondent is waived.
3. In the meanwhile, the respondent shall file counter affidavit within a period of two weeks. Rejoinder affidavit thereto, if any, be filed within one week.
4. In the event of arrest in connection with FIR No. 103/2025 dated 06.05.2025, registered at Police 3 Station New Rajpur, District Balrampur, the petitioner shall be released on bail on the appropriate terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Investigating Officer/Arresting Officer.
5. Needless to add, if the investigation is not complete in all respects, the petitioner(s) shall fully cooperate, and if the challan/charge sheet is filed, he would maintain good conduct and shall not attempt to influence any of the witnesses in any manner till the completion of the trial.
6. The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer on 16.02.2026 at 11:00 am and thereafter, as and when called upon. Since trial is in progress, he shall not take any unnecessary adjournments and cooperate in investigation.
7. List and tag the matter with SLP (Crl.) No. 1241/2026.”
4. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and also perused the materials available on record.
5. It is not in dispute that the conditions stand fully complied with; the appellant has cooperated during the investigation; he has not threatened or intimidated any of the witnesses; or has tried to influence the investigation in any manner.
6. We have noticed the nature of crime and the manner in which it was allegedly committed.
7. We allow the present appeal by confirming the order dated 06.02.2026, passed by this Court, with a direction to the appellant to continue to cooperate during the investigation/trial and not to take any unnecessary adjournment. Also, the appellant shall report before the Investigating Officer every alternate Monday, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and on subsequent dates as and when called upon, till such time the investigation is complete in all respects. 4
8. If the Investigating Officer/Arresting Officer/Trial Court feels that the investigation/trial is delayed on account of the appellant’s conduct, it shall be open to the Investigating Officer/Arresting Officer/Trial Court to take appropriate steps in accordance with the law, including cancellation of bail.
9. The impugned judgment and order dated 10.12.2025 in CRA No.2549/2025 titled “Vinod Kumar Agrawal vs. State of Chhattisgarh” passed by the High Court of Chhatisgarh at Bilaspur is set aside.
10. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
........................J. (SANJAY KAROL) ........................J. (AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH) NEW DELHI;
23rd FEBRUARY,2026.
5
ITEM NO.13 COURT NO.11 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.1241/2026
[Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 10-12-2025 in CRA No. 2544/2025 passed by the High Court of Chhatisgarh at Bilaspur] PRAVEEN AGRAWAL Petitioner(s) VERSUS STATE OF CHHATTISGARH Respondent(s) (FOR ADMISSION, IA No. 21191/2026 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 21181/2026 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/ FACTS/ANNEXURES) WITH SLP(Crl) No. 1922/2026 (II-C) (FOR ADMISSION, IA No. 34774/2026 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. AND IA No. 34773/2026 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS /FACTS/ANNEXURES) Date : 23-02-2026 These matters were called on for hearing today. CORAM :
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KAROL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH For Petitioner(s) :Mr. Somesh Chandra Jha, AOR Mr. Vipin Sanghi, Sr. Adv.
Mr. Avishkar Singhvi, Adv.
Mr. Ayush Jindal, Adv.
Mr. Sanjay Abbott, Adv.
Mr. Mayank Sharma, Adv.
Mr. Ankit Chaudhary, Adv.
Mr. Sanchit Rastogi, Adv.
Ms. Harshita Bansal, Adv.
Mr. Vivek Singh, Adv.
For Respondent(s) :Mr. Apoorv Shukla, AOR 6 SLP(Crl.) No.1241/2026, etc. UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R
1. Leave granted.
2. Appeals are allowed in terms of signed order.
3. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
(RAJNI MUKHI) (ANU BHALLA) ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS COURT MASTER (NSH)
(Signed order is placed on the file) 7