[2026:RJ-JP:35478]
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN
AT JODHPUR
S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous Bail Application No. 8699/2026 CNR: RJHC010621372026 | URN: CRLMB / 18858U / 2026 Subhash Chandra S/o Balveer Singh, Aged About 48 Years, R/o Beenjal Police Station Julfa District Patiyala Presently Lodged In District Jail Banswara (At Present Lodged In District Jail Banswara)
----Petitioner
Versus
State Of Rajasthan, Through Pp
----Respondent
For Petitioner(s) : Mr. M.A. Siddiqui
For Respondent(s) : Mr. Urja Ram Kalbi, PP
For Complainant(s) : Mr. Moti Singh and Mr. Sumit Sighal
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL BENIWAL Order
28/07/2026
1. This application for bail has been filed by the petitioner under Section 483 of BNSS (old Section 439 of Cr.P.C.) in connection with FIR No.67/2026, dated 15.05.2026, Police Station Aruthana, District Banswara for the offences under Sections 299, 302 and 196(1)(a) BNS, 2023 and Sections 3 and 5 of Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025.
2. Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and that false allegations have been levelled against him, whereas he is not at all inolved in any act of religious conversion. He submits that there is no material available with the Investigating Agency so as to connect the present petitioner with the crime in question. The
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petitioner has been arrested merely on suspicion. He is in judicial custody since 15.05.2026 and the trial is likely to take a considerable time to conclude. Therefore, the petitioner deserves to be enlarged on bail.
3. Per contra, learned Public Prosecutor as well as learned counsel for the complainant vehemently oppose the bail application and submit that the investigation so far made indicates involvement of the present petitioner in the crime in question.
3.1 While referring to the case diary, learned Public Prosecutor submits that the petitioner is a resident of Punjab and his presence in a remote village, viz., Anjana, District Banswara indicates his involvement in the crime in question, coupled with the fact that petitioner himself got converted and adopted Christian religion. That apart, the attempt to convert religion of the complainant is supported by witnesses, who were present along with the complainant at the time of religious prayer.
3.1 Learned Public Prosecutor further submits that during investigation a mobile phone was recovered from the possession of the petitioner, which was containing a video, prima-facie indicated religious conversion proceedings and the same was forwarded to a person in Kuwait.
3.2 Learned Public Prosecutor contends that there is prima-facie evidence regarding involvement of the petitioner in religious conversion and, therefore, at this stage, the petitioner is entitled to enlarged on bail.
4. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary.
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5. Having considered the fact that the petitioner is resident of Punjab and his presence at a remote village, viz., Anjana, District Banswara is not satisfactorily explained; the petitioner himself has adopted Christianity; a mobile-phone containing video of religious conversion, the petitioner's involvement cannot be ruled out, so also considering the fact that investigation in this matter is yet to be concluded. Hence, the petitioner is not entitled to be enlarged on bail and the present bail application deserves to be dismissed.
6. In view of the above, the present bail application stands dismissed at this stage.
7. However, the petitioner would be at liberty to move fresh bail application after filing of challan.
(SUNIL BENIWAL),J
22/Sushil Mahecha
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