1 CGHC010316702026 2026:CGHC:42502 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 7587 of 2026 Shekhar Dhruv @ Vicky S/o Goverdhand Dhruv Aged About 24 Years R/o Ward No. 05, Achanakpur, P. S. Chakerbhata Distt. Bilaspur (C.G.). ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through P. S. Chakerbhata, District - Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Devesh Chandra Verma, Advocate For Non-Applicant : Ms. Monika Thakur, Panel Lawyer Hon’ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order on Board 30/09/2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 419/2026, registered at Police Station Chakarbhatha, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on the basis of secret information, the police conducted a raid and seized 35 bulk liters of country-made illicit liquor from the illegal possession of the present 2 applicant. Consequently, the aforesaid crime was registered and the applicant was arrested on 08.07.2026. 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 the applicant is in jail since 08.07.2026. With respect to criminal antecedents, learned counsel would submit that out of three previous cases, the applicant has already been acquitted in one case of the year 2021 registered under Sections 454, 380, and 34 of the IPC, the second case of the year 2025 registered under Section 36(f) of the Excise Act has been disposed of, and only one case of 2026 is pending. He would contend that trial is likely to take some time; thus, the applicant may be released on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel would oppose the bail application filed by the applicant and submit that 35 bulk liters of illicit liquor was recovered from the direct possession of the applicant. She would further submit that the applicant is a habitual offender having three previous criminal antecedents, including an offence under the Excise Act, and another recent case of the year 2026 is still pending against him; thus, the applicant may not be released on bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the offence, the seizure of 35 bulk liters of illicit liquor from the possession of the applicant, and particularly taking into account the applicant's criminal background, wherein another case of the year, 2026 is still pending trial against him, this Court is not inclined to grant regular bail to the applicant at this stage. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is rejected. Sd/- Rakesh Mohan Pandey JUDGE Nadim