1 2025:CGHC:57570 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8515 of 2025 • Rajesh Verma S/o Santram Verma Aged About 28 Years R/o Sipat Old Bus Stand P.S. Sipat, District : Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus • State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Office, Police Station- Sipat, District : Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant : Mr. Vijay Chawla, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Nitansh Jaiswal, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 26.11.2025 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 548/2025, registered at Police Station – Sipat, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of C.G. Excise Act. 2. The case of the prosecution, is that on 24/09/2025, the police received information from an informer that two persons named Rajesh Verma and Rakesh Verma, residents of Village Sipat, had VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2025.11.26 18:47:04 +0530 2 illegally stored Mahua liquor (Indian liquor) in the courtyard of their house near the old bus stand with the intent to sell it. Acting on the said information, the police conducted proceedings and registered Crime No. 548/2025 under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case and there is two previous criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, and both are disposed off. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. He further submits that under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years. The applicant is in jail since 24.09.2025 and trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that there is two criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant and in both cases applicant has been acquitted, and the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. It is further submitted that a total of 15 liters of Mahua liquor has been seized from the joint possession of the present applicant and co- accused, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant and charge-sheet has been filed against the applicant and he is in jail since 24.09.2025 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some 3 time, I am inclined to allow this application. 7. Let applicant, Rajesh Verma, involved in Crime No.548/2025, registered at Police Station – Sipat, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) 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. (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 4 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 concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice vaishali