1 2025:CGHC:20281 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3422 of 2025 Ajeet Sahu S/o Late Shri Pusau Ram Sahu Aged About 26 Years R/o Stationpara Dhamtari, Tahsil And District- Dhamtari (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus The State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station- City Kotwali Dhamtari, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Sunil Sahu, Advocate. For Respondent(s) : Ms. Monika Thakur, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 02/05/2025 1. 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 applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 61/2025 registered at Police Station City Kotwali Dhamtari, District- Dhamtari (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that n 12.03.2025, as per secret information received from the informant, the Police of Police Station AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN Digitally signed by AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN 2 City Kotwali Dhamtari, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) seized 19.260 bulk liters of country made liquor from the possession fo applicant, which was kept in plastic bag, thereafter, aforesaid offence has been registered against the applicant and subsequently, he was arrested. Hence, the bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and 19.260 bulk liters of country made liquor was not seized from the exclusive possession of the applicant. 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 applicant has one criminal antecedent of the year 2023 under the Excise Act, which is pending, he is in jail since 12.03.2025 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. 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 applicant has one criminal antecedent of identical nature of the year 2023. She further submits that 19.260 bulk liters of the country made liquor was recovered from the possession of the applicant, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 3 6. 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 only one criminal antecedent, which is of the year 2023 under the Excise Act and is still pending, applicant is in jail since 12.03.2025 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 applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. 7. Let the applicant - Ajeet Sahu, involved in Crime No. 61/2025 registered at Police Station City Kotwali Dhamtari, District- Dhamtari (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, be released on bail on his 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 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (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 4 the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (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 is 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. 8. 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