1 CGHC010263762026 2026:CGHC:29650 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6255 of 2026 Sheikh Taufik S/o Shri Sheikh Harun Aged About 39 Years R/o Idgah Bhatha, P.S. Azad Chowk, Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Azad Chowk, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Ms. Ankita Goswami, Advocate For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Monika Thakur, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 14.07.2026 1. This is the second bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 37/2026 registered at Police Station - Azad Chowk, Raipur, District- Raipur, (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. The earlier bail application of the applicant has been rejected by this Court vide order dated 22.04.2026 passed in MCRC No. 2313 of 2026 on the ground that he has two previous criminal antecedents RAHUL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by RAHUL DEWANGAN 2 of the similar nature. 3. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the police of Police Station- Azad Chowk, Raipur, District- Raipur, (C.G.), received an information from the informant and on the basis of the said information conducted a raid and seized total 5.580 bulk liters of country made liquor and cash of Rs. 4020/- from the joint possession of the present applicant and co-accused. Thereafter, Police has registered an offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act against the present applicant. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that, the first bail application of the applicant was rejected by this Court on the ground that the applicant has 02 criminal antecedents under the Excise Act. She further submits that new ground to grant of bail is that the statements of the seizure witnesses PW-1 and PW-2 have been recorded, who have not supported the case of the prosecution and turned hostile. She further submits that the co-accused person namely, Jhumesh Meshram, has already been granted bail by the trial Court. She also submits that the applicant is in jail since 13.02.2026, conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the present applicant. 5. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the second bail application of the present applicant. 6. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 3 7. Considering the above submissions, as the 02 prosecution witnesses have been examined and have turned hostile, the same cannot be a ground for releasing the applicant on bail further the applicant has two previous criminal antecedents under the Excise Act which are still pending, and further it appears that no new ground has been raised in the second bail application. Thus, I do not find any good ground for grant of bail, hence, this second bail application of the present applicant is rejected. 8. Accordingly, the second bail application of the applicant - Sheikh Taufik, involved in Crime No. 37/2026 registered at Police Station - Azad Chowk, Raipur, District- Raipur, (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, is rejected. 9. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 10. 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 Rahul Dewangan