1 2026:CGHC:16434 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 1302 of 2026 Aarti Verma W/o Raju Verma Aged About 38 Years R/o- Village- Jalso, P.S.- Koni, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through- Excise Circle Kota, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) Non-applicant For Applicant : None. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 09.04.2026 1. None appears nor any representation is made on behalf of the applicant on repeated calls, but considering the fact that the applicant is in jail since 12.01.2026, this Court proceeds to finally hear the matter with the assistance of learned State counsel. 2. The applicant has preferred this First 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. 191/2025-26, registered at Police Station – Excise Circle Kota, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(1)(a), 34(2) and 59(a) of C.G. Excise Act. 3. The case of the prosecution, is that the Police of Police Station – Excise Circle Kota, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) has received a secret RAJSHEKHAR SONI Digitally signed by RAJSHEKHAR SONI 2 information through the informant and on the basis of such information the Police has seized a total of 40 liters of Mahua liquor from the possession of the applicant. Thereafter, the applicant has been arrested by the Police and the offence was registered. 4. Learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, and the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. It is further submitted that the applicant is arrested on 12.01.2026 and a total of 40 liters of Mahua liquor has been seized from the possession of the present applicant, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 5. I have heard learned State counsel and perused all of the documents available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, charge-sheet has been filed against the applicant and he is in jail since 12.01.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, I am inclined to allow this application. 7. Let applicant, Aarti Verma, involved in Crime No. 191/2025-26, registered at Police Station – Excise Circle Kota, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(1)(a), 34(2) and 59(a) of C.G. Excise Act, be released on bail on her 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 3 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 Rajshekhar