1 CGHC010189842026 2026:CGHC:28540 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 4493 of 2026 1. Ranjeet Kumar Sao S/o Late Satyanarayan Sao, Aged About 38 Years R/o Bhilai Power House, P. S. Power House, Dist. Durg (C.G.) 2. Ravi Kimar Sao S/o Krishna Sao Aged About 28 Years R/o Tetrahat, Dist. Lakhisaray (Bihar) ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer (S. H. O.) P.S. - Chhal, District - Raigarh (C.G.). ...Non-applicant(s) (Cause-title taken from Case Information System) For Applicants : Mr. Ashutosh Biswas, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Palak Dwivedi, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 09/07/2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, ‘BNSS’), for grant of regular bail to the applicants who have been arrested in connection with Crime No. 9 of 2026 registered at Police Station – BRIJMOHAN MORLE Digitally signed by BRIJMOHAN MORLE Date: 2026.07.10 10:41:10 +0530 2 Chhal, District Raigarh (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 287 and 111(4)(7) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, ‘BNS’) and Sections 3 & 7 of the Essential Commodities Act. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 22.01.2026, the Assistant Sub-Inspector attached to Police Station Chhal, District Raigarh (C.G.), received secret information that near Village Hati, on the Hati–Dharamjaigarh Main Road, certain persons had assembled with a small diesel tanker and were selling diesel to customers without any licence or authorization and without adopting the requisite safety measures, thereby endangering human life and violating the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act. 3. Acting upon the said information, the police party immediately proceeded to the spot and allegedly found a YODHA 1700 small tanker bearing Registration No. BR-09-GC-1865 parked on the roadside, where the present applicants along with one co-accused were allegedly selling diesel to customers. Upon inspection, about 2,000 litres of diesel-like inflammable substance, valued at approximately Rs.2,00,000/-, was found stored in the tanker. The said diesel was seized in accordance with law and, on the basis of the seizure and other material collected during investigation, Crime No. 09 of 2026 was registered against the applicants for the aforesaid offences. 4. During the course of investigation, the statements of the witnesses were recorded, the seized articles were taken into 3 custody and, after completion of investigation, charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court. 5. Learned counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. It is submitted that they have not committed any offence as alleged and have been arrayed as accused merely on the basis of suspicion. It is further submitted that except for their alleged presence at the spot, there is no material connecting the applicants with the alleged commission of the offence and no incriminating material has been recovered from their conscious and exclusive possession. He further submits that both the applicants have no previous criminal antecedents, the investigation has already been completed, charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court and, therefore, their further custodial detention is not necessary. It is also submitted that the applicants are in judicial custody since 22.01.2026 and the trial is likely to take considerable time for its conclusion. Hence, it is prayed that the applicants be enlarged on regular bail. 6. Per contra, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of bail and submits that acting upon credible secret information, the police found the applicants along with the co-accused selling diesel from the tanker without any valid licence or authorization and without adopting the mandatory safety measures. It is submitted that about 2,000 litres of diesel, an essential commodity of considerable value, was seized from the spot and the 4 applicants were found in conscious possession of the said tanker. Considering the nature and gravity of the allegations, the quantity of diesel seized and the manner in which the offence was allegedly being committed, it is submitted that the applicants do not deserve the discretionary relief of bail. However, learned State counsel fairly submits that the investigation has been completed, charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court and the applicants have no previous criminal antecedents. 7. I have heard learned counsel for the parties, considered their rival submissions and perused the case diary as well as the material available on record. 8. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly considering that the investigation has been completed and the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court; that the applicants have no previous criminal antecedents; that they are in judicial custody since 22.01.2026; and that the trial is likely to take considerable time for its conclusion, this Court is of the considered opinion that the continued detention of the applicants is not warranted. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to grant regular bail to the applicants. 9. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicants is allowed. 10. Let the applicants – Ranjeet Kumar Sao & Ravi Kumar Sao, involved in Crime No. 9 of 2026 registered at Police Station – Chhal, District Raigarh (C.G.), for the offences punishable under 5 Sections 287 and 111(4)(7) of the BNS and Sections 3 & 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, be released on bail on their furnishing a personal bond with two sureties each, in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicants shall file an undertaking to the effect that they 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 applicants shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through their counsel. In case of their absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against them under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicants misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure her presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicants fail to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against them, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicants shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening 6 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 applicants are 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 them in accordance with law. 11. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance. rt fo forthwith. - S/- Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Brijmohan