1 2026:CGHC:18940 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3723 of 2026 Ramavatar @ Rama @ Ramdhan Son of Rampravesh Singh Aged About 24 Years Resident of Village- Baima, Police Station - Khadgaan, Tahsil - Chirmiri, District- Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station - Khadgaan, District - M.C.B. (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Sanjay Pathak, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Sameeksha Gupta, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 24.04.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Nyay Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.361/2023, registered at Police Station - Khadgaan, District - Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2), 59 and 42 of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. 2. As per the prosecution story, in brief, on 02.09.2023, the police of Police Station Khadgawan received secret information from an informant that the accused persons were transporting liquor. On the basis of the said information, the police personnel conducted a raid and allegedly recovered 207 liters of foreign liquor from the possession of accused PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.04.25 19:42:54 +0530 2 Babu Singh, whereas the present applicant fled away. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that there were two accused persons, including the present applicant, and the co-accused has already been acquitted by the learned Trial Court. Learned counsel further submits that the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents. It is also submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed and the trial is likely to take a considerable amount of time to conclude. In view of the above facts and circumstances, it is therefore prayed that this Court may be pleased to release the applicant on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application and submits that the applicant was shown as absconding since 2023, he has now been arrested and is in judicial custody since 07.04.2026. Therefore, his bail application is liable to be dismissed. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused material available on record. 6. Considering the fact and circumstances of the case, nature of allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that the there were two accused persons, including the present applicant, and the co-accused has already been acquitted by the learned Trial Court, with regard to the present applicant, it is noted that the applicant was shown as absconding since the year 2023 and has only recently been arrested, he is presently in judicial custody since 07.04.2026, in view of the aforesaid facts, particularly the conduct of the applicant in absconding for a considerable period, this Court is of the opinion that it is not a fit case to enlarge the applicant on regular bail. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of applicant – Ramavatar @ Rama @ 3 Ramdhan involved in Crime No.361/2023, registered at Police Station - Khadgaan, District - Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 34(2), 59 and 42 of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, is rejected. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 9. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/-- ((Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti