1 2025:CGHC:57561 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8682 of 2025 Santosh Bhardwaj S/o Late Shri Pardeshi Bhardwaj Aged About 33 Years R/o Chhawaripali Tahsil And PS- Dabhra, District- Sakti (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through - The Station House Officer Of Police Station Dabhra District- Sakti Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Hariom Rai, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Shri Swajeet Singh Ubeja, PL. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 26/11/2025 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.320/2025 registered at Police Station Dabhra District- Sakti Chhattisgarh for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of C.G. Excise Act. GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2025.11.27 18:24:51 +0530 2 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 24/09/2025, Head Constable Ramesh Kumar Chandra of Dabhra Police Station along with staff constable Laxmi Oraon No. 237 had left for village Putidih Chhawaripali has received the secret information from an unknown informer regarding a person has kept a huge quantity of Mahua liquor on the side of the road towards Dabhra before the Chowk of village Chhawaripali. On the said information, without obtaining a search warrant, on reaching the incident spot Chhawaripali in front of the accompanying staff and witnesses, the accused started running after seeing the police vehicle. He was surrounded, caught and interrogated. A total of 30 litres of raw liquor worth Rs. 3000/- filled in two naked yellow coloured Abis Gold cans of 15-15 liter capacity was recovered from the possession of the accused. And on the basis of the afore mention story of prosecution offence under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act has been registered against the present applicant. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and 30 bulk litres of raw 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 charge sheet has been filed, the applicant is in jail since 25/09/2025 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 3 present case before the competent Court and the applicant has no criminal antecedents. He further submits that 30 bulk litres of raw 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, applicant has no criminal antecedents, he is in jail since 25/09/2025, charge- sheet has been filed and further considering the fact that conclusion of the trial may take some more time, therefore this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed and it is directed that the Applicant- Santosh Bhardwaj, involved in Crime No.320/2025 registered at Police Station Dabhra District- Sakti Chhattisgarh for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of 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. 4 (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. (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. 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 gouri