1 CGHC010211822026 2026:CGHC:28625 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR M.Cr.C No.4980 of 2026 Lokesh Chouhan, S/o Ramdas Chouhan, Aged About 20 Years, R/o Tausir, P.S. Baramkela, Dist. Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer (S.H.O) P.S.- Baramkela, Dist.- Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) ... Non-applicant _____________________________________________________ For Applicant :Mr. Prashant Dansena, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State :Mr. Malay Jain, PL. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 09.07.2026 1. The Applicant has preferred this 1st Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.33/2026 registered at Police Station – Baramkela, District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.), for SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Digitally signed by SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Date: 2026.07.10 13:01:11 +0530 2 the offences under Sections 34(2) and 59(A) of the Excise Act. 2. Briefly stated, case of the prosecution is that on 24.03.2026, the officers of Police Station Baramkela, District Sarangarh- Bilaigarh, on receiving information, conducted a search at the house premises of the Applicant, during which they allegedly seized approximately 13 bulk litres and 320 ml of foreign liquor. Based on the aforesaid allegations, the present offences have been registered against the present Applicant. Hence this application. 3. Learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant is innocent, he has been falsely implicated in the present case and is in jail since 24.03.2026. It is further submitted that from the perusal of the FIR, no material has been collected against the Applicant to connect him with the alleged offence. It is lastly submitted that conclusion of trial is likely to take considerable time, therefore, the Applicant may be granted bail. 4. On the other hand, learned Counsel for the State opposes the bail application and submits that charge sheet has been filed and the Applicant is having one previous criminal antecedent, which is also under the provisions of the Excise Act. 3 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the submissions advanced by learned Counsel for the parties, the nature of allegations, the quantity of liquor allegedly seized from the Applicant, i.e. 13 bulk litres and 320 ml of foreign liquor, the material available in the case dairy, charge-sheet has been filed the fact that the alleged previous criminal antecedent is also under the Excise Act, the fact that the Applicant is in jail since 24.03.2026 and further considering the likelihood of the trial taking considerable time for its conclusion, without further commenting anything on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered opinion that the Applicant is entitled to be released on bail. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. 7. Let Applicant- Lokesh Chouhan involved in Crime No.33/2026 registered at Police Station – Baramkela, District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.), for the offences under Sections 34(2) and 59(A) of the 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 4 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 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 fixed 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 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 concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Priya