1 2026:CGHC:16973 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 1608 of 2026 Ramesh Das Manikpuri S/o Shri Late Dayadas Manikpuri Aged About 35 Years R/o Awaspara Podi, Thana Sirgitti, District - Bilaspur Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Pratinidhitv, Thana - Sirgitti, Dwara Kiya Gaya District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Sanjay Kumar Yadav, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Shubham Bajpai, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 13.04.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 48/2026 registered at Police Station Sirgitti, District - Bilaspur (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act. 2. The brief facts of the prosecution case are that on 22.01.2026, the accused was arrested, and after the completion of the investigation, the prosecution seized 21 liters of illicit Mahua liquor from the possession of the accused and registered the offence. Upon completion of the investigation, Crime No. 48/2026 was registered under Section 34(2) of ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.04.15 10:54:36 +0530 2 the Excise Act, and evidence was collected against the accused. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the present applicant has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the alleged illicit liquor was not seized from the possession of the present applicant. He also submits that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, the minimum punishment is one year and the maximum punishment is three years. He further submits that the present applicant has two criminal antecedents under the Excise Act, which have already been disposed of. He also submits that the present applicant has been in jail since 22.01.2026 and that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take a considerable amount of time. Therefore, he prays for the grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposed the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the applicant, and the fact that the applicant has two criminal antecedents under the Excise Act, which have already been disposed of, and further considering that the charge-sheet has been filed and the applicant has been in custody since 22.01.2026, and that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, I am inclined to grant regular bail to the present applicant. 7. Let the applicant – Ramesh Das Manikpuri, involved in Crime No. 48/2026 registered at Police Station Sirgitti, District - Bilaspur (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, be 3 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 his under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (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 his, 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 4 against him in accordance with law. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Abhishek