1 CGHC010176062026 2026:CGHC:30722 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR M.Cr.C No.4158 of 2026 Ramchandra Chandravanshi S/o Parmeshwar Chandravanshi Aged About 25 Years R/o Village Jhirouni, Police Chowki Bazar Charbhatha, Police Station Kawardha, District Kabirdham Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Excise Circle, Kawardha, District Kabirdham Chhattisgarh ... Non-applicant _____________________________________________________ For Applicant :Mr. Devesh Chandra Verma, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State :Ms. Ritika Verma, PL. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 20.07.2026 1. The Applicant has preferred this 1st Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.12/2026 registered at Police SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Digitally signed by SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Date: 2026.07.21 11:48:21 +0530 2 Station – Excise Circle, Kawardha, District Kabirdham (C.G.), for the offences under Sections 34(1)(A), 34(2) & 59(A) of Excise Act. 2. As per the prosecution case, acting on secret information, the Excise Department conducted a search on 22.04.2026 at the Applicant's grocery shop situated in Village Jhironi. During the search, 14.82 bulk litres of illicit liquor of different brands, concealed in bags and cartons in a storage room on the roof of the shop, was recovered and seized from the Applicant's possession. As the Applicant failed to produce any valid licence or document authorizing possession of the liquor, the contraband was seized, the Applicant was arrested and the present offences were registered against him. Hence, this application. 3. Learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant is innocent, he has been falsely implicated in the present case and is in jail since 22.04.2026. He further submits that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years. He further submits that the alleged liquor was not recovered from the conscious possession of the present Applicant, but was seized from an open place. He lastly submits that conclusion of trial is likely to take considerable 3 time, therefore, the Applicant may be granted bail. 4. On the other hand, learned Counsel for the State opposes the bail application and submits that charge-sheet has been filed and there are no previous criminal antecedents against the present Applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the submissions advanced by learned Counsel for the parties, the nature of allegations, the quantity of liquor allegedly seized, the period of custody of the Applicant since 22.04.2026 and the fact that he has no previous criminal antecedents, charge-sheet has been filed, the fact that the trial is likely to take considerable time for its conclusion and without further commenting anything on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered opinion that it is a fit case to allow the application. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. 7. Let Applicant- Ramchandra Chandravanshi involved in Crime No.12/2026 registered at Police Station – Excise Circle, Kawardha, District Kabirdham (C.G.), for the offences under Sections 34(1)(A), 34(2) & 59(A) of 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 4 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 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. 8. 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 Priya