1 2026:CGHC:25501 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3506 of 2026 Mela Bai Tondar W/o Dhanush Tondar Aged About 46 Years R/o Ward No. 7 Juda P.S. Kasdol, Dist- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. Lawan, District- Balodabazar- Bhatapara, (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Tanuj Patwardhan, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Monika Thakur, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 22.06.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as she has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 107/2026, registered at Police Station - Lawan, District – Balodabazar - Bhatapara, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act. 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 04.04.2026, Head Constable Sunil Dahariya, acting upon information received from an informant, reached Village Juda Sudeli Road, in front of the farm belonging to one Vishnu Bharti, and allegedly seized a total of 29 bulk ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.06.23 10:37:28 +0530 2 litres of liquor (Hath Bhatthi Kacchi Mahua Sharab) valued at Rs. 5,800/- and cash amounting to Rs. 460/- from the possession of the applicant. The applicant was served with a notice under Section 94 of the B.N.S.S., 2023, pursuant to which she failed to produce any document in support of her possession of the said liquor. On the basis of the aforesaid seizure, the prosecution registered an offence against the present applicant, who was thereafter arrested and taken into police custody. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is falsely implicated in this case. He also submits that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents. He further submits that under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years, and the applicant is in jail since 04.04.2026 and the trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the present applicant. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel opposes the bail application and also endorse the submissions made by the learned counsel for the applicant that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents and submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court. 5. I have heard learned counsel 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 antecedents and also considering the fact that the charge-sheet has been filed and he is in jail since 04.04.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, therefore, I am inclined to grant regular bail to the present applicant. 7. Let applicant, Mela Bai Tondar, involved in Crime No. 107/2026, 3 registered at Police Station - Lawan, District – Balodabazar - Bhatapara, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, be released on bail on furnishing 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. (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 4 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 provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Abhishek