1 2026:CGHC:27244 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5865 of 2026 Ravi Verma S/o- Arun Verma, Aged About 26 Years R/o- Village Jaraundha, Police Station- Takhatpur, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police Station- Sakri, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Kashish Saluja, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Nupur Trivedi, Panel Lawyer. Hon’ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 02.07.2026 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. 347/2026 registered at Police Station - Sakri, District- Bilaspur (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) and 59(A) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. As per the prosecution story, in brief, acting on the basis of secret information received from an informer, on 23.04.2026, the police recovered 27 litres of Goa liquor, comprising 150 bottles of 180 ml each, from the possession of the accused. The liquor was allegedly being transported in a white-coloured sack on Scooty bearing Registration No. CG-10-Z-0370 near Village Hanfa Main Road. Upon being served with a PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.07.03 16:16:22 +0530 2 notice under Section 94 of the BNSS, the accused failed to produce any valid document or licence authorizing possession or transportation of the said liquor. Consequently, the recovered liquor was seized, and an offence under Sections 34(2) and 59A of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act was registered against the accused at Police Station Sakri vide Crime No. 347/2026. Thereafter, the applicant was arrested. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that there is no material or evidence to implicate the present applicant in the instant case. He also submits that the applicant has two previous criminal antecedents under the Excise Act, out of which one case is disposed of and another case is pending and the same has been duly explained in part – D of the present bail application. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed in the present case and that the applicant has been in judicial custody since 24.04.2026. Learned Counsel argues that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, the prescribed punishment ranges from a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years, and that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take a considerable amount of time. In light of the aforesaid circumstances, it is prayed that this Court may be pleased to grant regular bail to the applicant. 4. Learned counsel for the State/non-applicant opposes the bail application. She further submitted that the criminal antecedents of the applicant has been explained in part-D of this bail application. 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, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the applicant, and the 3 fact that the charge-sheet has been filed, further the criminal antecedents of the applicant has been explained in paragraph No. 4(A) of this bail application, and the applicant has been in custody since 24.04.2026, and that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in the present case. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the applicant - Ravi Verma, involved in Crime No. 347/2026 registered at Police Station - Sakri, District- Bilaspur (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2) and 59(A) 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 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 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 BNS. (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 4 the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial Court shall initiate proceedings against him, 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 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 forthwith. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti