1 2026:CGHC:10759 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 470 of 2026 Yashwant Sonwani S/o Shri Vishnu Sonwani Aged About 36 Years R/o Phulwaripara, Bagbahara, P.S. and Tehsil Bagbahara, Distt. Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer P.S. Bagbahara, Distt. Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Syed Mohammad Sohail Afzal, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Sourabh Sahu, Panel Lawyer. Hon’ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 02.03.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 277/2025 registered at Police Station- Bagbahara, District- Mahasamund (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. As per the prosecution, on 21.12.2025, the police of Police Station Bagbahara received secret information that a person was allegedly carrying country-made liquor for illegal sale near Nayakin Talab on the road leading to Chandi Temple. Acting upon the said information, the police conducted a raid and apprehended the present applicant. It is alleged that 25 litres of hand-made country liquor (Mahua) were seized PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.03.02 17:22:19 +0530 2 from his possession, consisting of one plastic container of 20-litre capacity containing 10 litres and three plastic containers of 5-litre capacity each. As the applicant could not produce any valid license or document, Crime No. 277/2025 was registered against him under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. The applicant was arrested on the same day and remanded to judicial custody. His bail application before the Sessions Court was rejected. 3. It is submitted by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the present case. He submits that although the applicant has six previous criminal antecedents, all the said cases have already been disposed of. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present matter and the applicant is in custody since 21.12.2025. It is further argued by him that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years 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 opposes the bail application. He further submits that the charge-sheet has been filed and the applicant has six previous criminal antecedents including the present case, all the said cases have already been disposed of. 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 and the fact that the applicant has six previous criminal antecedents including the present case, all the said cases have already been disposed of, further the charge-sheet has been filed and he is in jail since 21.12.2025 Further, the 3 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. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the applicant - Yashwant Sonwani, involved in Crime No. 277/2025 registered at Police Station- Bagbahara, District- Mahasamund (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh 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 she 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 her counsel. In case of her absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against her under Section 269 of BNS. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure her 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 her, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of BNS. 4 (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 are 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 her 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 Preeti