1 CGHC010220822026 2026:CGHC:29200 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5567 of 2026 1 - Devvrat Verma S/o Puran Verma Aged About 20 Years Resident Of Village Mohara, Tehsil Dongargarh, Dist. Rajnandgaon C.G. ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer Dongargarh, Chowki (Sub P S) Mohara, Dist. Rajnandgaon C.G. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Raza Ali, Advocate For Respondent(s)/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, P.L. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 10.07.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking grant of regular bail to the applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 238/2026 registered at Police Station Dongargarh (Chowki Mohara), District Rajnandgaon (C.G.), for the offences RUCHI YADAV Digitally signed by RUCHI YADAV 2 punishable under Sections 34(2) and 36 of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, along with Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 07.05.2026, acting upon information received from a reliable informer, the respondent police conducted a raid near Mudiya Pool, adjacent to a nala, within the jurisdiction of the concerned Police Station. During the raid, the police allegedly recovered 81 bulk litres of illicit Goa Whisky from the spot. Consequently, an FIR was registered against the accused persons, including the present applicant, for the offences alleged. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that the applicant has no criminal antecedents. Learned counsel submits that the applicant has been in judicial custody since 08.05.2026. Since the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, it is prayed that the applicant be enlarged on regular bail. 4. Learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of bail and submits that considering the nature and gravity of the offence and the material available on record, the applicant is not entitled to be released on bail. Accordingly, it is prayed that the bail application be dismissed. 3 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedents, has remained in judicial custody since 08.05.2026, and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, this Court is of the considered opinion that further pre-trial detention of the applicant is not warranted. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the present bail application deserves to be and is hereby allowed. 7. Let the Applicant – Devvrat Verma involved in Crime No.- 238/2026 registered at Police Station Dongargarh (Chowki Mohara), District Rajnandgaon (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 34(2) and 36 of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, along with Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, 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 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 4 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 his 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 5 default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law. 8. However, this Court hopes and trusts that the trial Court shall make an earnest endeavour to conclude the trial expeditiously from the receipt of this order in accordance with law, if there is no legal impediment. 9. 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 Ruchi