1 2025:CGHC:5774 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 889 of 2025 Madhusudan Sahu S/o Kaushal Sahu Aged About 30 Years R/o Village Noonpani, Police Station Saraipali, District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station - Excise Circle Saraipali, District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Pritam Singh, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Malay Jain, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 31.01.2025 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 146/2024 registered at Police Station Excise Circle Saraipali, District Mahasamund (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(1) (A,F,E), 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act against the present applicant. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that police of Police Station Excise Circle Saraipali, District Mahasamund (C.G.), has received a secret information from the informant and on the basis of said information, ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2025.01.31 17:21:23 +0530 2 raid was conducted and seized 20 liters of handmade mahua liquor and 550 Kgs of Mahua Lahan from the house of the applicant. Thereafter, the aforesaid case was registered against the present applicant. 3. Learned Counsel for the applicant submits that the present applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and the said 20 liters of handmade mahua liquor and 550 Kgs of Mahua Lahan were not seized from the exclusive possession of the applicant. It is further argued by her that the present applicant has 01 criminal antecedents under the Excise Act in which is stated to pending. He also submits that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years and the present applicant has been in jail since 15.10.2024 and 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 for the State, opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court. He further submits that the applicant was initially arrested on 15.10.2024, and sent for medical examination, from where he fled away from the custody of the Police authority, and thereafter again he was arrested on 17.11.2024, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of regular 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 present applicant 3 and the fact that the present applicant has only 01 criminal antecedents under the Excise Act in which is stated to pending. Moreover, the fact that the charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court and he is in jail since 15.10.2024 and 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 – Madhusudan Sahu, involved in Crime No. 146/2024 registered at Police Station Excise Circle Saraipali, District Mahasamund (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(1) (A,F,E), 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act against the present applicant, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two heavy sureties out of which 01 surety should be family member 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 his 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, 4 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 his, 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. However, this Court hopes and trusts that the trial Court shall make an earnest endeavour to conclude the trial as expeditiously as possible within a period of six months from the receipt of a certified copy of this order in accordance with law, if there is no legal impediment. 9. OfÏce 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 Abhishek