1 2026:CGHC:6863 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 49 of 2026 Vichitra Das Manikpuri S/o Alidas Manikpuri Aged About 38 Years R/o H.No. 196, Ward No. 07, Maharani Laxmi Bai, Parpodi, P.S. Parpodi, Distt. Bemetara, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Nandini, Distt. Durg, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Veer Verma & Shri Ankush Borkar, Advocates. For Respondent/State : Smt. Smriti Shrivastava, PL. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 06/02/2026 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.314/2025 registered at Police Station Nandini, District Durg (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2), 42 of C.G. Excise Act GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.02.07 16:43:26 +0530 2 and section 111(1), 111(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 29.11.2025, Sub-Inspector Paras Singh Thakur of Police Station Nandini received information that some persons were transporting illegal liquor from another state in an old Tata Safari vehicle via Dhamdha Road. Acting on the information, the police intercepted the vehicle near Nandini Khundini after it attempted to flee. The vehicle, carrying Naresh Kurre, Lavkesh alias Bablu, Aryan Kumar Lahre, and Prabhu Barle, was found to contain 28 boxes of country liquor (Shole Masala), totaling 1344 quarter bottles (224.640 bulk litres), along with cash, smartphones, and the vehicle itself. Crime No. 314/2025 was registered under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act. During investigation, the accused disclosed that they purchased the liquor in collusion with Hitesh Sayyan (Manager) and Vichitra Das Manikpuri (Salesman) of a liquor shop and supplied it to Suraj Pardhi and Sanju Pardhi. Due to the planned nature of the conspiracy, Section 111(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was added. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He would submit that his name does not appear in the FIR and he has been implicated solely on the basis of the memorandum statements of co-accused persons. He would submit that the applicant is a regular salesman of the government liquor shop for 8–9 years, performing only his routine duties, without control over stock or sales and nothing has been seized from him. He would submit that the charge sheet has been filed in this case, the applicant is in jail since 30/11/2025 and conclusion of trial will take some time, therefore, he prays for grant of bail to the applicant. 3 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the bail application and she would submit that charge sheet has been filed in this case before the competent court and the applicant has no criminal antecedents. 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, considering the fact that the applicant who happens to be the salesman of the liquor shop has been implicated in this case only on the basis of the memorandum statement of co-accused person, period of detention of the applicant since 30/11/2025, charge sheet has been filed, applicant has no criminal antecedents and also considering the fact that trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion, 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- Vichitra Das Manikpuri, involved in Crime No.314/2025 registered at Police Station Nandini, District Durg (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2), 42 of C.G. Excise Act and section 111(1), 111(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, 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 4 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 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. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE gouri