Chhattisgarh HC reject bail to Chitrasen Sao for the violent assault and outraging the modesty of a female constable during a Raigarh protest

News Citation : 2026 LN (HC) 283 | 2026:CGHC:19643

April 28, 2026 : The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed the second bail appeal of Chitrasen Sao, who stands accused of participating in a brutal and dehumanizing attack on a female police constable during a violent protest in Raigarh. Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal, presiding over the Bilaspur bench, ruled that the gravity of the allegations and the evidence linking the accused to the crime precluded the granting of regular bail at this stage.

The incident dates back to December 27, 2025, in the Tamnar police station area, where villagers from approximately 14 villages had gathered to protest against a public hearing related to the Jindal company. According to prosecution records, the demonstration turned violent under the provocation of several leaders. During the ensuing chaos, the victim, a female constable deployed for law enforcement duties, attempted to seek safety in a nearby field but fell into a ditch. She was subsequently surrounded by a group of protesters who allegedly assaulted her with sticks, tore her uniform and undergarments, and attempted to strangle her while recording the act on a mobile device.

During the proceedings, the defense argued that Sao was innocent and had been falsely implicated, noting that his name was not mentioned in the initial First Information Report (FIR). They further contended that the lack of seized torn clothing weakened the prosecution’s case and suggested the victim’s injuries might have resulted from a police baton charge. However, the State’s counsel strongly opposed the bail, highlighting that the victim had positively identified Sao during an identification parade. Crucially, the prosecution pointed to the recovery of the victim’s stolen gold necklace (Mangalsutra) from Sao’s possession and his appearance in CCTV footage.

In his judgment, Justice Jaiswal emphasized that the recovery of the stolen article from the appellant directly linked him to the assault on a public servant performing her official duties. The court found no illegality or error in the trial court’s previous order to deny bail, concluding that the serious nature of the crime which involved outraging the modesty of a woman and obstructing administrative functions rendered the appellant’s case unfit for release. The appeal was dismissed, and the registry was directed to inform the trial court of the decision immediately.

Case Reference : Cr. A. No. 1018 of 2026, Chitrasen Sao vs State of Chhattisgarh