The Madhya Pradesh High Court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to a Bhopal resident accused in a case involving alleged dowry-related harassment and assault. The court observed that the accusations were serious and that the available material did not justify protection from arrest at this stage.
Background of the Case
The matter came before Justice Rajendra Kumar Vani in a petition filed by John alias Chirag Mishra under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The case arises from Crime No. 126/2026 registered at Mahila Thana, Bhopal, under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Dowry Prohibition Act.
The applicant argued that he had been falsely implicated and claimed that the complaint was lodged three days after the alleged incident without any explanation for the delay. His counsel also contended that the injuries mentioned in the case were simple in nature and that he deserved anticipatory bail.
The State and the complainant opposed the plea, arguing that the allegations were supported by material collected during the investigation. They submitted that the accusations included assault connected to an alleged demand for ₹5 lakh and other serious allegations.
After examining the case diary, FIR, medical report and other records, the court found the allegations to be grave.
“The allegations against the present applicant are serious in nature,” the court observed.
The bench further noted that, considering the nature of the accusations, the severity of the punishment prescribed for the offences, and the evidence gathered during investigation, the case was not fit for grant of anticipatory bail.
Concluding that no ground existed for extending pre-arrest protection, the Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by John alias Chirag Mishra.
The plea seeking relief under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, was accordingly rejected.
Case Details:
Case Title: John @ Chirag Mishra v. State of Madhya Pradesh
Case Number: MCRC No. 20592 of 2026
Judge: Justice Rajendra Kumar Vani
Decision Date: 1 June 2026
