1 2026:CGHC:10756 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 547 of 2026 Smt Manisha Kewat W/o Gangaram Kewat Aged About 34 Years R/o Gram Lamer, P.S.- Kota, District- Bilaspur C.G. ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, P.S.- Kota, District- Bilaspur C.G. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ankit Singh, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, 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. 1101/2025 registered at Police Station- Kota, District- Bilaspur (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. As per the prosecution story, in brief, on 03.12.2025, the police of Police Station Kota (C.G.) seized 48 bulk litres of handmade country (desi) mahua liquor from the present applicant. Accordingly, the alleged offence was registered, and the applicants were arrested under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the applicant has no previous criminal antecedent. He also submits that the charge-sheet has PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.03.02 17:22:18 +0530 2 been filed in the present case and the applicant is in jail since 03.12.2025. 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 total 48 bulk litres of handmade country (desi) mahua liquor has been seized from the possession of the applicant, further the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents and the charge-sheet has been filed. 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 no previous criminal antecedents, further the charge-sheet has been filed and she is in jail since 03.12.2025 Further, the 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 - Smt Manisha Kewat, involved in Crime No. 1101/2025 registered at Police Station- Kota, District- Bilaspur (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 3 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. (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