Bail Rejected Four Times

A court in Rewa has once again rejected the bail plea of YouTuber Manish Patel, marking the fourth consecutive legal setback for the social media creator. The latest rejection came late on Thursday, effectively blocking any possibility of relief for the next 20 days, as per legal procedures. Patel, who has over 4 million followers, was arrested earlier this week following a complaint over offensive social media posts targeting the Brahmin community.

Judicial Magistrate Panna Nagesh had turned down his bail application on 28 May. This was followed by a dismissal from the court of Fourth Additional Sessions Judge R.K. Sharma on 30 May. Earlier, both the district court and the high court had also refused to grant him any relief.

Social Media Tensions

The arrest has triggered sharp reactions across Rewa and the Vindhya region. While some social groups have welcomed the action, others have gathered in support of the YouTuber. Several organisations from Uttar Pradesh have announced on social media that they will march to Rewa to show solidarity with Patel.

Local authorities confirmed that certain WhatsApp groups and other platforms have been used to circulate messages that could worsen social divisions. Police said they are monitoring posts that include calls to boycott specific communities and their businesses.

Police Advisory Issued

In response, Rewa police issued an advisory urging citizens to stay away from misleading or provocative content. “Social media groups are being closely watched. Anyone found sharing material that disturbs public order will face legal action,” an officer said, quoting from the advisory.

The police have also asked users to delete and not forward any posts or messages that could spread hatred. “Sensational claims, unclear photos, or old videos are often used to provoke. Do not trust such information without verification,” the advisory added.

‘Rewa Chalo’ Call Grows

Support for Patel appears to be consolidating in certain quarters, with calls for a ‘Rewa Chalo’ campaign gaining traction online. Messages circulating on social media urge supporters to gather in large numbers in Rewa. Meanwhile, the police have said they are prepared to handle any law and order situation that may arise from such mobilisation.

Criminal Record

According to advocate Vivek Mishra, who is the complainant in the case, Patel has several criminal cases registered against him since 2016. These include incidents of mobile phone theft, assault, and other charges at various police stations, including University, Civil Lines, and Samaan. In one case, Mishra claimed, Patel remained a fugitive for a long time, leading to a permanent warrant.

Legal Provisions

Legal experts pointed out that the action falls under specific provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Advocate B.K. Mala explained that sections 196(1)(A) and 353(3) deal with acts that promote enmity or hatred between groups. Offences under these sections can lead to imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.

The high court, while earlier rejecting Patel’s anticipatory bail, had noted that the content was created deliberately. As of late evening, Patel remained in judicial custody. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and more digital evidence is being examined.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has rejected the bail application of businessman Anwar Dhebar in connection with the alleged manpower supply scam linked to irregularities in overtime payments at the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL).

The court observed that economic offences cannot be treated as ordinary crimes because they affect the country’s financial system and weaken public trust in governance. The development has become a major India News Update due to the political and financial implications associated with the case. While dismissing the plea, the High Court stated that large-scale economic crimes are often part of carefully planned conspiracies aimed at misusing public money and causing damage to the economic structure of the country.

According to the prosecution, the case is related to alleged corruption and irregularities in overtime payments made to employees through manpower supply agencies associated with CSMCL. Investigating agencies claimed that private manpower agencies supplying employees to the corporation were allegedly forced to pay commissions before their bills were cleared. The alleged illegal payments were reportedly linked to officials and influential individuals connected to the system.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case of fraud and corruption after evidence collected during investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) indicated irregular financial transactions. Officials alleged that Anwar Dhebar used political influence to interfere in the functioning and financial decisions of CSMCL. Investigators claimed he played a key role in controlling payments linked to manpower supply contracts.

According to the investigation report presented before the court, the commission amount initially collected from agencies was allegedly fixed at a specific percentage. However, investigators claimed that later the demanded amount increased significantly on Dhebar’s instructions. The probe reportedly revealed that some agencies were allegedly asked to pay nearly one-third or even more of the total bill amount as commission before receiving payments. Investigating agencies also alleged that additional illegal collections were sought in the name of elections and political expenditure.

The court was informed that some former officials of the corporation and private individuals allegedly acted as intermediaries in collecting money from agencies and transferring it further. The Enforcement Directorate had earlier conducted a trap operation on November 29, 2023, during which employees linked to Eagle Hunter Solutions agency were allegedly caught while delivering Rs 28.80 lakh in cash as bribe money. Officials stated that evidence recovered during that operation later formed the basis for further investigation against Anwar Dhebar. He was subsequently arrested on February 23, 2026.

During the bail hearing, Dhebar’s legal team argued that the case was politically motivated and claimed that he was being targeted due to political rivalry. The defence also alleged misuse of the legal process by registering multiple FIRs related to the same matter. His lawyers argued before the court that repeated cases were being filed to prevent him from securing release from jail. They also referred to the matter as “evergreening of custody” while seeking bail.

The state government strongly opposed the bail plea during the hearing and argued that the allegations involved large-scale corruption connected to public funds and misuse of official systems. After hearing both sides, the High Court observed that relief cannot be granted merely because an accused person is influential or because illegal money was not recovered directly from him.

The court stated that cases involving alleged misuse of public funds and corruption within government systems require careful judicial scrutiny. It further observed that such crimes damage not only the economy but also public confidence in administrative institutions. The High Court reportedly described Anwar Dhebar as the alleged main conspirator and primary beneficiary in the case. According to the court’s observations, the investigation had produced sufficient prima facie material against him at the current stage. Legal experts said the order reflects the judiciary’s increasingly strict approach towards economic offences and corruption-related cases involving public money.

The manpower supply scam case has attracted significant public and political attention in Chhattisgarh because of its alleged links to government departments, contract systems and financial irregularities. Observers believe the rejection of the bail plea may intensify scrutiny of similar manpower and outsourcing arrangements within public sector organisations.

The case continues to be monitored closely as investigating agencies pursue further evidence and examine the role of other accused persons allegedly connected to the network. The High Court’s remarks on economic offences have also sparked wider debate regarding corruption in government-linked contracts and the need for stronger accountability mechanisms.

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