Bail granted where charge-sheet filed and trial likely to take time, despite gravity.

The applicant, Yash Sontake, was arrested on December 27, 2025, in connection with Crime No. 527/2025 registered at Police Station - Mahasamund, District Mahasamund (C.G.), for offenses under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act.

Police received information from an informer that a person from Bemcha liquor shop was transporting a large quantity of liquor to Mahasamund on an Activa scooty.

Acting on this information, police intercepted the applicant and seized 18 bulk liters of English liquor from his possession.

The applicant was 19 years old, claimed to be the sole bread earner for his aged parents, and had been in judicial custody since December 27, 2025.

Investigation was completed, and a chargesheet was filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate on January 28, 2026.

The applicant contended that he was falsely implicated, the vehicle from which the liquor was seized did not belong to him, and he had been acquitted in his only previous case on July 28, 2025.

1. Whether the applicant, Yash Sontake, should be granted regular bail in connection with Crime No. 527/2025 under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act.

The court primarily applied Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which governs the filing of bail applications.

The decision was guided by general principles for granting bail, considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations, the duration of judicial custody, and the likely time for trial conclusion.

The court considered the applicant's status as a 19-year-old in judicial custody since December 27, 2025.

It noted that the investigation was complete and the charge-sheet had already been filed.

The court acknowledged the applicant's contention that he was falsely implicated and that the vehicle from which the liquor was seized did not belong to him.

Furthermore, the court considered that the trial was likely to take a considerable amount of time to conclude.

Based on these factors, the court determined that it was appropriate to grant regular bail.

It held that the applicant, Yash Sontake, should be released on regular bail.

He is required to furnish a personal bond with two local sureties in a like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned court.

The bail is subject to conditions, including an undertaking not to seek adjournments, appearance before the trial court, and consequences for misusing liberty or failing to appear.