1 CGHC010359972026 2026:CGHC:42232 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8593 of 2026 Ramu Gond S/o Neelkant Gond Aged About 23 Years R/o Village Kataud, P. S. Navagarh, District Janjgir Champa. C. G. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through District Magistrate District Janjgir Champa, C. G. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Rahul Singh, Advocate For Non-Applicant : Mrs. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer Hon’ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order on Board 28/09/2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) for grant of regular bail to the applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 262/2026 registered at Police Station Navagarh, District Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 20.08.2026, acting upon secret information, the police team intercepted/raided the spot and seized 14 bulk liters of illicit handmade/country-made liquor from the possession of the applicant. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the case. He would further 2 submit that out of two criminal antecedents of similar nature, the case registered in the year 2024 has already been disposed of, while the case of 2025 remains pending. Investigation is complete, charge-sheet has already been filed, and the applicant is in jail since 20.08.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time; thus, the applicant may be enlarged on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel would oppose the bail application and submit that 14 bulk liters of illicit liquor have been seized from the applicant and he has two previous antecedents under the Excise Act. However, he does not dispute the fact that charge-sheet has already been filed and the case of 2024 stands disposed of. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of the offence, the quantity of illicit liquor seized (14 liters), the applicant is in custody since 20.08.2026, charge-sheet has already been filed, out of two previous cases one has already been disposed of, and trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to release the applicant on bail. Accordingly, the application is allowed. 7. It is directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.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 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. 3 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