1 2026:CGHC:12554 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 548 of 2026 Ramlal Manjhi S/o Vishwanath Manjhi Aged About 36 Years R/o Village Khairat, Kala, Chowki Tuhlu, Ps Komakhan, Tehsil Komakhan, District Mahasamund (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through- Chowki Tuhlu, P.S. Komakhan, District Mahasamund (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Shubhank Tiwari, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 16.03.2026 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 he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 172/2025, registered at Police Chowki – Tuhlu, Police Station Komakhan, District – Mahasamund (C.G.) for the o;ence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act. 2. As per the case of the prosecution, after receiving secret information, a raid was conducted at an open place and a total of 20 litres of country- made liquor was seized from the possession of the applicant. It is also ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.03.17 11:11:03 +0530 2 alleged that the applicant was not having any document regarding the possession of the said liquor. Hence, the FIR was lodged against the applicant. 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 and the charge-sheet has already been submitted before the competent Court in the present case. 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 28.12.2025, 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, learned State counsel opposes the bail application of the applicant and submits that the case diary of the present case is not available. 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, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the applicant, and the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedents, as reBected in paragraph 4(a) of the bail application and further considering that the charge-sheet has been Cled before the competent Court, the applicant has been in jail since 28.12.2025, the 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, Ramlal Manjhi, involved in Crime No. 172/2025, registered at Police Chowki – Tuhlu, Police Station Komakhan, District – Mahasamund (C.G.) for the o;ence punishable under Section 34(2) of 3 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 Cle an undertaking to the e;ect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates Cxed 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 Cxed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without suDcient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (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 the date Cxed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, 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 Cxed 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 suDcient 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. ODce is directed to provide a certiCed copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Abhishek