Extracted from the PDF above. The PDF is authoritative.
1
2025:CGHC:57788
NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8801 of 2025 Shrawan Kumar Kurrey S/o Saukhilal Aged About 50 Years R/o Village Jhiriya, P.S. Akaltara, Distt. Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Excise Circle Akaltara, Distt. Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Rawindra Prakash Yadaw, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer. Hon’ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 27/11/2025
1. 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.134/2025 registered at Police Station- Excise Circle Akaltara, District - Janjgir-Champa (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. As per the prosecution story, in brief, the police received secret information from an informant that, on the date of the incident i.e., 19.09.2025, an unknown person was keeping illegal liquor in his possession for sale. Acting on the information, the police seized 7 litres of country-made kachchi Mahua liquor from the house of the applicant. The PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2025.11.27 19:14:51 +0530
2 applicant failed to produce any document relating to the seized liquor, and therefore, a case was registered against him for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the applicant has five previous criminal antecedents, out of which in four cases he has been acquitted by the trial Court and one case is pending under the Excise Act. He also submits that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case and the applicant is in jail since 19.09.2025. 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. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing 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.
She further submits that the applicant has one previous criminal antecedent under the Excise Act, 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 one previous criminal antecedent under the Excise Act, which is pending, further the charge-sheet has been filed and he is in jail since 19.09.2025. 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. 3
7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the applicant - Shrawan Kumar Kurrey, involved in Crime No.134/2025 registered at Police Station- Excise Circle Akaltara, District - Janjgir-Champa (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh 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 sufficient 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 initiate proceedings against him, 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
4 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 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. 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 Preeti