1 2026:CGHC:16427 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 1348 of 2026 Raja Singh Chouhan S/o Raghunandan, Aged About 42 Years R/o Ward No. 12, Haldibadi Chirmiri, Police Station and Tahsil Chirmiri, District Manendragarh- Chirmiri- Bharatpur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police of Police Station - Chirmiri, District - Manendragarh- Chirmiri- Bharatpur (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Anil Kumar Gulati, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Shubham Bajpai, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 09.04.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Nyay Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.15/2026, registered at Police Station - Chirmiri, District - Manendragarh- Chirmiri- Bharatpur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. The prosecution story in brief, is that on 09.01.2026, during routine patrolling, the police received information that the applicant was carrying illicit country-made liquor in his scooty and was proceeding towards his residence. Acting upon the said information, the police intercepted the applicant. Upon search, 20 liters of illicit liquor were allegedly recovered PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.04.10 16:48:31 +0530 2 from the dickey of the scooty being driven by the applicant. Thereafter, the applicant was arrested for the commission of the alleged offences. 3. The 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 four previous criminal antecedents under the Excise Act. Out of these, he has been acquitted in one case, another case has already been disposed of, and the remaining two cases are still pending. The details of these antecedents have been duly explained in Paragraph No. 4(A) of the present bail application. It is also submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant has been in judicial custody since 09.01.2026, and the trial is likely to take a considerable amount of time to conclude. Therefore, it is prayed that the applicant be released on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed. He further submits that the applicant is having four previous criminal antecedents under the Excise Act, out of which two cases are still pending, therefore, his bail application is liable to be dismissed. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused material available on record. 6. Considering the fact and circumstances of the case, nature of allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that applicant is having four previous criminal antecedents under the Excise Act, out of which two cases are still pending which shows that he is a habitual offender, further he has misused the bail granted to him earlier, and that the quantity of liquor seized is total 20 liters of illicit liquor has been recovered from the possession of the applicant and also in light of the judgment rendered by the Hon’ble Court in Deepak Yadav Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & 3 Another, reported in (2022) 8 SCC 559, wherein the Hon’ble Supreme Court had cancelled the bail granted to the accused therein on the ground that the accused had previous antecedents, this Court is of the opinion that it is not a fit case to enlarge the applicant on regular bail. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of applicant – Raja Singh Chouhan involved in Crime No.15/2026, registered at Police Station - Chirmiri, District - Manendragarh- Chirmiri- Bharatpur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, is rejected. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 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 Preeti