1 2025:CGHC:40959 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5639 of 2025 • Jeevan Kumar Manjhi S/o Santram Manjhi, Aged About 35 Years R/o Village Tumidih, Punji, Pathara, District Raigarh Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus • State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officers P.S. Punjipathra District Raigarh Chhattisgarh ... Respondent (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant : Ms. Jaya Gupta, Advocate For Respondent/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 13/08/2025 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. 138/2025 registered at Police Station Punjipathra City Raigarh, District Raigarh (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) and 59(A) of the C.G. Excise Act. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the applicant is the accused in crime No.138 of 2025 registered at police station Punjipathra, District- Raigarh (C.G.) for offences under Sections 34(2) and 59(A) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2025.08.14 11:19:16 +0530 2 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and 8 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 two criminal antecedents at Crime No.271 of 2023 for offence under Section 34(1) (A) and Crime No.41 of 2025 and Crime No.75 of 2009 for offence under Section 36(F)(1) of C.G. Excise Act. The applicant is in jail since 02.06.2025 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 two criminal antecedents at Crime No.271 of 2023 for offence under Section 34(1)(A) and Crime No.41 of 2025 and Crime No. 75 of 2009 for offence under Section 36(F)(1) of C.G. Excise Act. against the applicant. He further submits that 8 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. 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 two criminal antecedents, out of which one case is still pending for its conclusion, he is in jail since 02.06.2025 and the charge-sheet has been filed, further the 3 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 – Jeevan Kumar Manjhi, involved in Crime No. 138/2025 registered at Police Station Punjipathra City Raigarh, District Raigarh (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 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 sufficient 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 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. 4 (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 sufficient 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. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 9. Office 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 vaishali