Bail granted after charge-sheet filing where applicants had no live criminal antecedents.

The applicants sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, following their arrest in Crime No. 105/2026, registered under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act.

The prosecution alleged that 110 litres of country-made liquor were seized from them after a police raid based on secret information.

The applicants disputed exclusive possession, stated that one had no criminal antecedents and the other two had a prior case ending in acquittal, and submitted that they had been in custody since 26 August 2026.

The State opposed bail, noting that the charge-sheet had been filed and expressing concern that the applicants might abscond.

1. Whether the applicants should be granted regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in the circumstances of the case.

2. Whether the alleged risk of absconding justified denying bail after filing of the charge-sheet.

Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, empowers the High Court to grant regular bail.

The alleged offence was punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act.

In deciding bail, the Court considered the nature and gravity of the allegation, the applicants’ criminal antecedents, completion of the investigation and filing of the charge-sheet, period of custody, and likely duration of trial.

The Court weighed the allegation concerning 110 litres of liquor against the applicants’ lack of live criminal antecedents, the filing of the charge-sheet, and their custody since 26 August 2026.

It considered that the trial might take further time and concluded that bail was warranted.

Although the State raised a risk of absconding, the Court granted bail subject to conditions requiring availability for police interrogation, non-interference with witnesses, and conduct consistent with a fair and expeditious trial.

It directed that the applicants be released on bail upon executing a personal bond of ₹50,000 each to the satisfaction of the trial Court, subject to the stated conditions.

The Court clarified that its observations were limited to the bail application and would not affect the trial Court’s decision on the merits.