1 CGHC010347692026 2026:CGHC:42917 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 9329 of 2026 Lalit Nag S/o Late Deenuram Nag Aged About 35 Years R/o Village Chargaon, Police Station Siksodh Tahsil Antagarh District Uttar Bastar Kanker C.G. ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Trough Station House Officer Police Station Siksodh District Uttar Bastar Kanker C.G. ... Non-Applicant(s) For Applicant : Mr. Shivendu Pandya, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Mr. Rakesh Mohan Pandey, Judge Order on Board 05/10/2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 13/2026, registered at Police Station Siksodh, District Uttar Bastar Kanker (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act. 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 01.08.2026, on receipt of secret information, the police of Police Station Siksodh, KUNAL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by KUNAL DEWANGAN 2 District Uttar Bastar Kanker, conducted a raid and found illicit liquor kept in the premises of the accused. During the raid, 18 bottles of 650 ml each bearing the label “Fosters Gold Strong Beer”, 68 quarters of 180 ml each bearing the label “Jammu Special Whisky” and 30 quarters of 180 ml each bearing the label “I-848 Superior Malt Whisky”, in all 29.34 litres of liquor worth Rs. 17,940/-, were seized. Accordingly, the aforesaid offence was registered and the applicant was arrested in connection therewith. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He would further submit that the alleged illicit liquor was not seized from the possession of the present applicant and there is no material to show his knowledge or conscious possession thereof. He would submit that the applicant was neither in exclusive nor conscious possession of the alleged liquor. He would further submit that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court and the applicant is in jail since 02.08.2026. So far as the criminal antecedents of the applicant are concerned, two cases under Section 36-C of the C.G. Excise Act were registered against him, both of which have already been disposed of, as mentioned in Part-D of the bail application. He would further submit that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time. Therefore, he prays for grant of bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel would oppose the prayer for grant of bail and submit that the applicant has two criminal 3 antecedents of similar nature. She would further submit that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court and illicit liquor of 29.34 litres was seized in the present case. Accordingly, she submits that the applicant is not entitled to be released on bail. 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 alleged against the applicant, quantity of liquor involved in the present case, the fact that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court, the period of incarceration of the applicant since 02.08.2026 and further considering the criminal antecedents of the applicant, as mentioned in Part-D of the bail application, wherein the two cases of similar nature have already been disposed of and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, thus without further commenting upon the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to grant regular bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant is allowed. 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 the following conditions:- (i) he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person 4 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, & (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. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court for necessary information and compliance. dorthwith. - S/- Sd/- (Rakesh Mohan Pandey) Judge Kunal