1 2026:CGHC:11727 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 694 of 2026 Santosh Kumar Patre S/o Kulbul Das Patre Aged About 40 Years R/o Village- Gobaripat, Police Station- Kota, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through- The Station House Officer, Police Of Police Station- Kota, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Anukul Biswas, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Smt. Smriti Shrivastava, PL. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 11/03/2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.07/2026 registered at Police Station Kota, District Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34 (2) of C.G. Excise Act. GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.03.12 11:57:13 +0530 2 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 03-01-2026, the secret information received by the Police of Police Station Kota, District Bilaspur that the present applicant has kept the illicit contraband liquor and waiting for the customer. On the basis of such information, the Police reached to the place of incident and seized total 8.280 bulk liter country made liquor from the possession of applicant and subsequently the applicant has been arrested for the commission of alleged offences. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and 8.280 bulk liter country made liquor was not seized from the exclusive possession of the applicant. He further submits that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years. He also submits that applicant is in jail since 03/01/2026 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. Learned counsel for the State/non-applicant would oppose the bail application and submit that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court. She would submit that the applicant has five criminal antecedents, out of which 3 cases are of preventive nature which are disposed of, 2 cases are under the IPC out of which one case is pending and one case is disposed of. She further submits that 8.280 bulk liter country made liquor was recovered from the possession of the applicant, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 3 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant, he is in jail since 03/01/2026, applicant has five criminal antecedents, out of which 3 cases are of preventive nature which are disposed of, 2 cases are under the IPC out of which one case is pending and one case is disposed of, charge-sheet has been filed and further the conclusion of the trial may take some more time, therefore this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed and it is directed that the applicant - Santosh Kumar Patre, involved in Crime No.07/2026 registered at Police Station Kota, District Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34 (2) of C.G. Excise Act, be released on bail on his 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 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. 4 (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 for necessary information and compliance forthwith. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice gouri