1 2025:CGHC:17250 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2902 of 2025 1 - Yogesh Banjare S/o Harikesh Banjare Aged About 19 Years R/o Balodabazar, Tahsil And Police Station - Balodabazar, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) (Description Of Applicants Mentioned As Per Charge Sheet) 2 - Sumit Bandhe S/o Bhanupratap Bandhe Aged About 19 Years R/o Balodabazar, Tahsil And Police Station - Balodabazar, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) (Description Of Applicants Mentioned As Per Charge Sheet) ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through- Excise Circle Simga, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Anil Kumar Gulati, Advocate. For Respondent(s) : Mr. Malay Jain, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 15/04/2025 1. Proceedings of this matter have been taken through video conferencing. AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN Digitally signed by AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN 2 2. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of regular bail to the applicants who have been arrested in connection with Crime No. 111/2025 registered at Police Station Excise Circle Simga, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) and 59(A) of the C.G. Excise Act. 3. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 05.03.2025, as per secret information received from the informant, the applicants were found to be in possession of 44.100 bulk liters of liquor, thereafter, aforesaid offence has been registered against the applicant and subsequently, they were arrested. Hence, the bail application. 4. Learned counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants have been falsely implicated in this case and 44.100 bulk liters of liquor was not seized from the exclusive possession of the applicants. He further submits that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years. He also submits that the applicants have no criminal antecedent, the applicants are in jail since 05.03.2025 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicants. 5. Learned counsel for the State/non-applicant would oppose the bail application and submit that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court and the applicants have no criminal antecedent. She further submits that 44.100 bulk liters of liquor was recovered from the possession of the applicants, 3 therefore, they are not entitled for grant of bail. 6. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 7. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicants and the fact that the applicants have no criminal antecedent, they are in jail since 05.03.2025 and the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case, further the conclusion of the trial may take some more time, this Court is of the view that the applicants are entitled to be released on bail in this case. 8. Let the applicants - Yogesh Banjare and Sumit Bandhe, involved in Crime No. 111/2025 registered at Police Station Excise Circle Simga, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) and 59(A) of the C.G. Excise Act, be released on bail on their furnishing a personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicants shall file an undertaking to the effect that they shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicants shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through their counsel. In case of their absence, without sufÏcient cause, the trial court may proceed against them under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. 4 (iii) In case, the applicants misuse the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure their presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicants fail to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against them, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicants shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicants are deliberate or without sufÏcient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against them in accordance with law. 9. OfÏce is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court for necessary information and compliance forthwith. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Akhil