1 CGHC010220942026 2026:CGHC:29168 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5144 of 2026 Omprakash Manikpuri S/o Shri Satyanarayan Das Aged About 32 Years R/o Village Misia, P.S. Pasaan, District- Korba (C.G.) Presently R/o Staff Room, Hotel Sudesh H O P Bar, Narmada Para, P.S. Ganj, District- Raipur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, (S.H.O.), P.S. Khamtarai, District- Raipur (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Ms. Swati Rani Saraf, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Shri Shubham Bajpai, PL. 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 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.334/2026 registered at Police Station GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.07.13 11:32:51 +0530 2 Khamtarai, District- Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of CG Excise Act. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that from the joint possession of the applicant and co-accused Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Budweiser Magnum beer bottles of about 23.400 bulk litres amounting to Rs. 8,640/- were seized near Khamtarai over-bridge, said to be without valid license, and on that basis the present case was registered and the applicant arrested on 07.05.2026 and remanded to judicial custody on 08.05.2026. On the basis of the aforesaid, Crime No. 334/2026 registered at Police Station Khamtarai, District Raipur, for an offence under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and 23.400 bulk litres of illicit liquor was not seized from the exclusive possession of the applicant. She further submits that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years. She also submits that applicant is in jail since 07/05/2026 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, she prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. Learned counsel for the State/non-applicant would oppose the bail application and submit that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court and the applicant has no 3 criminal antecedents. He further submits that 23.400 bulk litres of illicit liquor was recovered from the possession of the applicant & co-accused, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 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, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant, he is in jail since 07/05/2026, applicant has no criminal antecedents, charge-sheet has been filed and further the conclusion of the trial may take some more time, therefore this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed and it is directed that the applicant - Omprakash Manikpuri, involved in Crime No.334/2026 registered at Police Station Khamtarai, District- Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of CG 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 4 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. 5 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 gouri