1 2025:CGHC:17677 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2891 of 2025 Sunil Kumar Baghel S/o Late Shyamlal Baghel Aged About 30 Years R/o Mauhapali Chowki Kharsiya, Police Station And Tahsil- Kharsia, District- Raigarh (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through The P.S. Incharge, Kharsia, District- Raigarh (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Amit Singh Chauhan, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 17.04.2025 1. Proceedings of this matter have been taken through video conferencing. 2. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 170/2025 registered at Police Station- Kharsia, District- Raigarh (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) and 59(a) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI 2 3. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 23.03.2025, the Police of Police Chowki Kharsiya has allegedly recovered 13 liters Mahua liquor from illegal possession of the applicant. Accordingly, the offence under Section 34(2) and 59(a) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act has been registered against the applicant and he has been arrested. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the applicant has two previous criminal antecedents in Criminal Case No. 287/2021 for the offence under Section 31(1)(A) of Excise Act, in which he has been acquitted by judgment dated 10.02.2025 and in Criminal Case No. 363/2021 for the offence under Section 34(1)(A) of Excise Act, in which he has been acquitted by judgment dated 07.11.2023. He further submits that the charge-sheet has been filed and he is in jail since 23.03.2025. It is further argued by him that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 5. Learned counsel for the State/non-applicant opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed and the applicant has two previous criminal antecedents, therefore, he is 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 applicant and the fact that the applicant has two previous criminal antecedents in which he has been acquitted, further the charge-sheet has been filed and and the 3 applicant is in jail since 23.03.2025, further the conclusion of the trial may take some more time, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. 8. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the applicant – Sunil Kumar Baghel, involved in Crime No. 170/2025 registered at Police Station- Kharsia, District- Raigarh (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) and 59(a) of the Chhattisgarh 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 applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he 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 applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufÏcient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of BNS. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the Court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial Court shall 4 initiate proceedings against them, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of BNS. (iv) The applicant 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 applicant 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 him 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 Preeti