MCRC/9293/2026 of PANKAJ VERMA Vs THE STATE OF CHHATTISGARH on 14 October 2026

1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 on behalf of the applicant for grant of regular bail, who is in custody in connection with Crime No. 600/2026 registered at Police Station Bemetara, District Bemetara (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, 1915.

2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 11.09.2026, the police party received secret informant information that the applicant was carrying illicit liquor on his motorcycle for sale. Acting upon the said information, a search was conducted, and approximately 36 bulk litres of foreign liquor are alleged to have been recovered and seized from

the motorcycle. The applicant was consequently arrested on suspicion and taken into custody.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the applicant submits that the applicant is a young boy aged about 19 years, is innocent, and has falsely been implicated in the present case on mere suspicion; the applicant had merely given a lift to co-accused Shubham on his motorcycle and had no knowledge whatsoever regarding the contraband liquor; the alleged seizure was effected from an open place and there is no cogent material on record to establish conscious or exclusive possession of the alleged liquor by the applicant; the investigation is complete, charge- sheet has already been filed, the applicant has no criminal antecedents and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time; the applicant has been in jail since 11.09.2026; thus, he may be enlarged on bail.

4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the application and submitted that 36 bulk litres of illicit liquor have been seized from the applicant; thus, he may not be enlarged on bail.

5. Heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary.

6. Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly that the applicant is a 19-year-old youth with no reported criminal antecedents; the charge-sheet has already been filed upon completion of the investigation; the applicant has been languishing in jail since 11.09.2026 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time; without commenting on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to enlarge the applicant on regular bail. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed.

7. It is directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the

satisfaction of the concerned trial Court, he shall be released on bail, on following conditions :-

(i) he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court,

(ii) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial, and

(iii) he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial.

8. The observation made hereinabove is for the purpose of deciding this bail application only, the trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits. Sd/-

Rakesh Mohan Pandey

JUDGE Nadim