1 CGHC010222612026 2026:CGHC:29456 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No.5234 of 2026 1 - Lochan Bhardwaj S/o Girdhari Bhardwaj Aged About 25 Years R/o Godam, Police Station And Tahsil Sarangarh, District Sarangarh- Bilaigarh (C.G.) Applicant (s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Excise Officer, Excise Circle, Sarangarh, District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) Respondent(s) For Applicant (s) : Mr. Amit Singh Chouhan, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Sourabh Sahu, PL Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 13.07.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.10/2026, registered at Police Station Excise Circle, Sarangarh, District Sarangarh-Bhilaigarh (C.G.) for the offence Digitally signed by R NIRALA 2 punishable under Sections 34 (1) (A), 34 (2) & 59 (A) of the Excise Act. 2. The case of the prosecution, is that the applicant was found in possession of 24 litres of liquor for sale, as such a case was registered against him and he was arrested. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in crime in question. He further submitted that the offence is trialable by the Judicial Magistrate and the charge sheet has already been filed and applicant is in jail since 30.04.2026 and trial is likely to take quite long time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays that the applicant be released on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that there is one criminal antecedent against the applicant as such the applicant is a habitual offender, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all the documents available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegation and for the fact that the charge sheet has already been filed and the applicant is in jail since 30.04.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, therefore, I am inclined to allow this application. 3 7. Accordingly, the instant bail application of the applicant is allowed. 8. Let the Applicant – Lochan Bhardwaj, involved in Crime No.10/2026, registered at Police Station Excise Circle, Sarangarh, District Sarangarh-Bhilaigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 34 (1) (A), 34 (2) & 59 (A) of the Excise Act, be released on bail on furnishing personal bond with two local 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 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 their counsel. In case of their 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. 4 (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.” 9. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Nirala