Court cites seriousness of allegations, alleged 10-month abscondence, non-cooperation with investigation and criminal antecedents while rejecting pre-arrest bail.
Bilaspur : The Chhattisgarh High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Congress leader Nagendra Rai, an accused in the much-discussed Masturi shooting and alleged ₹2 lakh contract-killing case in Bilaspur district.
Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal, sitting in a single bench, declined to grant pre-arrest protection after considering the seriousness of the allegations, the prosecution’s claim that Rai had remained absconding for around 10 months, his alleged non-cooperation with the investigation and his criminal antecedents.
What the Prosecution Told the High Court
During the hearing, the state government opposed the anticipatory bail application and alleged that Nagendra Rai had provided weapons to co-accused persons for carrying out the attack.
The prosecution further submitted that call-detail records indicated that Rai had remained in contact with co-accused Tarkeshwar Patle.
According to the prosecution’s case, Rai was also allegedly involved in meetings connected with the plan to eliminate several individuals and was accused of facilitating a ₹2 lakh contract killing.
The prosecution also pointed to eight other criminal cases registered against Rai while opposing his plea for anticipatory bail.
Defence Claims Political Vendetta
Rai’s counsel disputed the allegations and argued that he had been falsely implicated because of political rivalry.
The defence maintained that there was no direct evidence establishing that Rai had supplied weapons or entered into any deal with co-accused Vishwajeet Anant.
The defence also pointed out that, out of the eight earlier cases cited against Rai, he had reportedly been acquitted in four, while a charge sheet had not been filed in another case.
Why the High Court Refused Anticipatory Bail
After hearing both sides, the High Court found the allegations against Rai serious enough to deny anticipatory bail.
The court particularly considered the allegation of supplying weapons, the fact that Rai had allegedly remained away from the investigation for around 10 months and the prosecution’s contention that he had not cooperated with the investigation.
The court’s decision was therefore based on the circumstances relevant to the bail application and does not amount to a final determination of guilt. The allegations will ultimately have to be established through the criminal proceedings.
What Happened in the Masturi Shooting?
The case relates to a shooting incident reported on October 28, 2025, outside the office of Tamesh Singh in Masturi.
During the firing, Dhanendra Singh alias Raju Singh and Chandrakant Singh sustained gunshot injuries and were subsequently treated at a hospital. Court records relating to co-accused proceedings describe the prosecution case that the shooting was linked to a wider alleged plan to eliminate several individuals.
According to the prosecution version recorded in court proceedings, ₹2 lakh was allegedly offered as a contract to eliminate Nitesh Singh, Chandrakant Singh, Raju Singh, Tamesh Singh and others.
Investigators also alleged that weapons were distributed among the assailants before the incident. These remain prosecution allegations to be tested during the criminal trial.
Charges and Investigation
A recent legal analysis of the High Court proceedings states that the case involves allegations under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act, including provisions relating to serious criminal conspiracy and weapons offences. The investigation has reportedly been completed and a charge sheet has been filed.
The High Court has also dealt with bail applications of other accused persons in connection with the same case. In one related proceeding, co-accused Vishwajeet Anant was granted regular bail after the court considered factors including the completion of investigation, filing of the charge sheet and the period he had spent in custody.
Nagendra Rai’s Legal Position After the Order
With the anticipatory bail application rejected, Rai does not receive the protection from arrest that he had sought through the High Court.
The prosecution can continue with the criminal process in accordance with law. However, the rejection of anticipatory bail should not be interpreted as a finding that the allegations have been proved.
The merits of the criminal case will ultimately be determined during the judicial proceedings.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Case | Masturi shooting and alleged contract-killing case |
| Accused | Congress leader Nagendra Rai |
| Court | Chhattisgarh High Court, Bilaspur |
| Judge | Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal |
| Relief sought | Anticipatory bail |
| Court’s decision | Bail rejected |
| Alleged contract amount | ₹2 lakh |
| Prosecution allegation | Weapon supply and involvement in alleged killing conspiracy |
| Reported period of abscondence | Around 10 months |
| Incident | October 28, 2025 |
| Injured persons | Dhanendra Singh alias Raju Singh and Chandrakant Singh |
Bottom Line
The Chhattisgarh High Court’s decision is a significant development in the Masturi shooting and alleged ₹2 lakh contract-killing case. The court declined to grant anticipatory bail to Congress leader Nagendra Rai after considering the seriousness of the allegations, his alleged prolonged absence from the investigation and the criminal antecedents cited by the prosecution.
However, the allegations against Rai remain allegations unless and until established before the competent court.
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