1 2026:CGHC:24095 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3503 of 2026 Prabha Devi Verma W/o Sushil Verma Aged About 38 Years R/o Village Jalso, Nahribhatha, P.S. Koni, District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The SHO, P.S. Koni, District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Parth Kumar Jha, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Ms. Sameeksha Gupta, PL. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 16/06/2026 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.65/2026 registered at Police Station Koni, District Bilaspur for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of CG Excise Act. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 17.02.2026 the head constable of P.S. Koni received secret information through informant GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.06.17 17:03:54 +0530 2 and during the raid the home made Mahuwa liquor total 40 bulk liters has been seized from the present accused/applicant, which was kept in her possession. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and 40 bulk litres of Mahua liquor was not seized from the exclusive possession of the applicant. He further submits that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years. He also submits that applicant is in jail since 17/02/2026 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 would oppose the bail application and submit that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court and the applicant has three criminal antecedents under the Excise Act out of which in two cases she has been acquitted and one case is pending. She further submits that 40 bulk litres of Mahua liquor was recovered from the possession of the applicant, therefore, she is not entitled for grant of 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 applicant, applicant has three criminal antecedents under the Excise Act out of which in two cases she has been acquitted and one case is pending, she is in jail since 17/02/2026, charge-sheet has been filed and further the conclusion of the trial may take some more time, therefore this 3 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 - Prabha Devi Verma, involved in Crime No.65/2026 registered at Police Station Koni, District Bilaspur for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of CG Excise Act, be released on bail on her 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 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (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 the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. 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 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 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 gouri