1 2026:CGHC:19656 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2725 of 2026 • Nihal Singh Bhatia S/o Gurmeet Singh Bhatia Aged About 24 Years R/o Ward No. 09 Railway Station Gurudwara Ke Pas, Abhanpur Raipur, Dist.-Raipur (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus • State of Chhattisgarh Through -Station House Officer, Police, Station Kondagaon, District Kondagaon (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Veer Verma and Mr. Ankush Borkar, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Ritika Verma, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 28.04.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 61/2026, registered at Police Station – Kondagaon, District – Kondagaon (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of C.G. Excise Act. 2. The case of the prosecution, is that on 24.02.2026 about 10 p.m. the police intercepted Tata Curve vehicle bearing registration no. CG 04 VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2026.04.29 10:58:20 +0530 2 QE 1421 near bypass chowk Kondagaon. That during the searching of the vehicle the police allegedly seized 171 bulk liter of goa whiskys (english liquior) where 19 cartoon of liquor were seized from the joint possession of present applicant and other two co-accused. Thereafter, Crime No.61/2026 was registered against the present applicant under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act and present applicant was arrested. A copy of FIR bearing Crime No. 61/2026 is being filed herewith as Annexure A/2. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case and there are three criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant and details of the same are mentioned in the covering memo. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. He further submits that under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years. The applicant is in jail since 24.02.2026 and trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that there are three criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant and details of the same are mentioned in the covering memo filed by the applicant, and no any criminal antecedent registered under the Excise Act and the charge- sheet has been filed in this case. It is further submitted that a total of 171 bulk liter of goa whiskys (english liquior) has been seized from the joint possession of the present applicant and co-accused, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 3 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that no any criminal antecedent registered under the Excise Act, charge-sheet has been filed against the applicant and he is in jail since 24.02.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, I am inclined to allow this application. 7. Let applicant, Nihal Singh Bhatia, involved in Crime No.61/2026, registered at Police Station – Kondagaon, District – Kondagaon (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. (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 4 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 concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Vaishali