Chhattarpur Firing Case: MP High Court Grants Bail To Bageshwar Dham Chief's Brother In Attempted Murder Case
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted regular bail to Shaligram, a man accused of attempted murder in the Chhattarpur firing case, observing that the said allegation needed to be examined in light of the available evidence. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 372]
Per a Bhaskar English report, the accused in the present case is the brother of Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri.
About two months ago, Shaligram, along with one more person, was arrested by the Chhattarpur Police Station following allegations that he incited people to assault the victim with wooden sticks, during which a gun was fired at the victim. This alleged act was reportedly over a land dispute behind a cow shed in Rajnagar. The report also stated that two accused were arrested, while two remained absconding.
The bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari observed:
"As regards the role attributed to the applicant, the allegation against him is primarily that he abused the victim and instigated the co- accused persons to assault him. The specific allegation regarding firing from the pistol is required to be appreciated in the context of the entire evidence and the material collected during investigation. At this stage, this Court is not required to undertake a meticulous appreciation of the evidence or conduct a mini-trial. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of the allegations without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered view that the applicant deserves to be enlarged on bail".
Shaligram is accused of attempt to murder [Section 109(1)], obscene acts and songs [Section 296(B)], and criminal intimidation [Section 351(3)] under the BNS and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.
Per the prosecution, Shaligram, along with co-accused persons, intercepted the victim, Motilal Kushwaha, near a school and hurled abuses at the victim while instigating other co-accused to assault him with wooden sticks. It was alleged that during the incident, a gunshot was fired from a pistol at the victim.
The counsel for the applicant claimed that he was falsely implicated in the case over "political pressure and previous enmity". It was argued that the applicant is a relative of a renowned saint a nd submitted that he was implicated with the intention to malign the reputation and image of the applicant.
The counsel further argued that on the date of the incident itself, the complainant, along with certain villagers, allegedly assaulted the applicant and co-accused persons, due to which they sustained injuries. They also made a complaint to the police, but no FIR was registered. The alleged incident was also recorded by certain villagers on their mobile phones, and the said video would demonstrate the actual matter.
The counsel for the State argued that the allegations against the applicant are serious and the allegations prima facie disclose the commission of an offence involving an attempt on the life of the victim.
The court noted that the allegation against the applicant is primarily that he instigated others to assault the victim and that he abused the victim. The specific allegation regarding the firing of a pistol ought to be reappreciated in the context of the entire evidence available on record.
However, considering the facts and circumstances surrounding the case, the court deemed it appropriate to grant bail to the applicant upon furnishing a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one local surety.
Case Title: Shaligram v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-43347-2026
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 372
For Applicant: Advocates Rohit Raghuwanshi and Amit Dave
For State: Advocate Mayur Gulati