The High Court of Chhattisgarh granted regular bail under Section 483 BNSS, 2023 to two applicants arrested in connection with Crime No. 200/2026 for an offence under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. The prosecution alleged seizure of 5.940 bulk litres of country-made plain liquor wine from their joint possession.
The applicants submitted that Applicant No. 1 had three criminal antecedents (two under the Excise Act, one under IPC), with one Excise Act case disposed of and the IPC case disposed of, while one Excise Act case remained pending. Applicant No. 2 had one pending Excise Act case. Both applicants had been in jail since 22 July 2026 and a charge-sheet had been filed, though trial conclusion would take time.
The State opposed bail citing criminal antecedents. The court, considering the quantum of liquor seized, the period of detention, the fact that only one Excise Act case was pending against each applicant, and the filing of the charge-sheet with trial likely to take time, held the applicants entitled to bail.
The court ordered release on each applicant furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 50,000 with one surety each, subject to conditions: (i) undertaking not to seek adjournments on evidence dates when witnesses are present, breach treated as abuse of bail; (ii) presence before trial court on each date personally or through counsel, absence without cause attracting proceedings under Section 269 BNS; (iii) if proclamation under Section 84 BNSS is issued and applicants fail to appear, proceedings under Section 209 BNS shall be initiated; (iv) personal presence required on dates for opening of case, framing of charge, and recording statement under Section 351 BNSS, with deliberate absence treated as abuse of bail.
