Chhattisgarh High Court Permits Undertrial To Take NEET Exam Under Police Custody, Declines Temporary Bail

An urgent mentioning was made before the Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha by the counsel appearing for the accused/applicant. A prayer was made to grant temporary bail to the applicant so as to enable him to appear in the NEET-UG examination scheduled to be held on 21.06.2026.

Considering urgency of the plea, the Court took up the matter on Wednesday (June 17). It was apprised that the applicant was arrested for commission of offence under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and is presently lodged in judicial custody. It was further informed that he has been preparing for the NEET examination.

The Chief Justice sought response of the State Counsel on the plea who did not make any objection to the request, subject to the condition that the police make suitable arrangements for enabling the applicant to appear in the examination.

Taking into account the totality of circumstances, the Court deemed it fit to allow the applicant to appear in the examination with police escort rather than granting him temporary bail for the said purpose.

The Superintendent of Police, Raipur, as well as the Superintendent of the concerned Jail were directed to ensure that the applicant is taken to the examination centre under proper police custody and is permitted to participate in the aforesaid examination on the scheduled date and time.

The Bench made it clear that the applicant shall be brought back to the jail immediately upon the completion of the examination. It also asked the jail authorities to provide relevant study materials to the applicant in jail, subject to the jail rules and regulations.

Case Title: Kunal Tarunakar v. State of Chhattisgarh

Case No: MCRC No. 5244 of 2026

Date of Order: June 17, 2026

Counsel for the Applicant: Mr. Anukul Biswas, Advocate

Counsel for the State: Ms. Palak Dwivedi, Panel Lawyer