1 CGHC010350702026 2026:CGHC:42369 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8502 of 2026 Ravindra Singh Chauhan S/o Late Kishore Singh Chauhan, Aged About 38 Years R/o- Chandra Shekhar Aazad Ward Nawapara Ambikapur, P. S. Ambikapur District - Surguja (C.G.). ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Gandhi Nagar District - Surguja (C.G.). ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ashish Gangwani, Advocate For Non-Applicant : Mrs. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer Hon’ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order on Board 29/09/2026 1. 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. 468/2026 registered at Police Station Gandhi Nagar, Surguja, District Surguja (C.G.) for offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that acting upon secret information, the police intercepted the applicant and seized 15.755 bulk litres of illicit English liquor from his unauthorized possession. Consequently, an offence was registered against the applicant, he was arrested, and after completion of investigation, a charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court. 2 3. Learned counsel appearing for the applicant would submit that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the present case. He would further submit that though two previous cases were registered against the applicant under the Excise Act, in the first case of 2020 registered under Section 34(1) of the Act he has already been acquitted, while the second case of 2022 registered under Section 34(2) of the Act is still pending consideration before the trial Court. He would contend that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant is in judicial custody since 22.07.2026, and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time; therefore, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the State/non-applicant would vehemently oppose the bail application and submit that 15.755 bulk litres of illicit English liquor was seized from the conscious possession of the applicant. She would further submit that the applicant is a habitual offender having two criminal antecedents of similar nature; therefore, he is not entitled to be released on regular bail. However, she admits that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the quantity of liquor seized; further considering that the investigation is complete and the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court; the applicant has already been acquitted in one of the previous cases; he is in judicial custody since 22.07.2026, and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, this Court, without commenting on the merits of the case, is inclined to enlarge the applicant on regular bail. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. 7. It is directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond for a sum of 50,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the ₹ concerned trial Court, he shall be released on bail, on following conditions:- (i) he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts 3 of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court, (ii) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial, and (iii) he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. The observation made hereinabove is for the purpose of deciding this bail application only, the trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits. Sd/- Rakesh Mohan Pandey JUDGE Nadim