1 2025:CGHC:61539 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 9301 of 2025 Khilesh Gautam S/o Trilok Gautam, Aged About 31 Years R/o Village- Malighori P.S. Balod, District Balod (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station House Officer Balod, District Balod (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Ritesh Verma, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 17.12.2025 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.415/2025, registered at Police Station Balod, District- Balod (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act. KUNAL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by KUNAL DEWANGAN 2 2. Prosecution story in a nutshell is that on the basis of information received from an informer, the police of Balod Police Station conducted a search on 02.10.2025 at the house of the applicant and the co-accused situated at village Malighori, within the jurisdiction of Balod Police Station. During the search, the police allegedly recovered 498 quarters of country-made plain liquor, each measuring 180 ml (pauwa), amounting to a total of 89.960 bulk litres, which was allegedly kept for the purpose of illegal sale. As no valid licence or document was produced in respect of the seized liquor, the same was seized by the police. Thereafter, the applicant and the co-accused were arrested and an F.I.R. was lodged against the applicant at the concerned police station. The applicant has been in judicial custody since 03.10.2025. Hence, the present application. 3. It has been argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the applicant is languishing in jail since 03.10.2025, though the charge-sheet has been filed, but the trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion. He later submits that so far as criminal antecedents of the applicant is concerned, he has only one previous case registered against him of the year 2025, which is still pending. He lastly submits that under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years, therefore, he prays grant of bail. 3 4. On the other hand, the learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application submits that total of 89.960 bulk litres of illicit liquor was recovered from the possession of the applicant. Hence, his bail application is liable to be rejected. 5. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant, quantity of liquor seized and the fact that so far as criminal antecedents of the applicant is concerned, he has only one previous case registered against him, charge-sheet has already been filed and he is in jail since 03.10.2025 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time hence, I am inclined to allow this application. 6. Let applicant, Khilesh Gautam, involved in Crime No.415/2025, registered at Police Station- Balod, District- Balod (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the 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 4 through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against them 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 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 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 Section 209 of 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. 7. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Kunal