Man Accused Of Helping Adulterate Liquor Gets Bail, With Chhattisgarh HC Citing Co-Accused Parity And 280-Litre Spirit Seizure From Co-Accused

The applicant sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, after his arrest in connection with a case alleging offences under Sections 34(2), 35 and 49-B(C) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act and Sections 274, 275, 347, 338 and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The prosecution alleged that he assisted co-accused in adulterating liquor; liquor and 280 litres of spirit were seized from co-accused persons.

The applicant relied on the grant of bail to co-accused, the absence of seizure from his exclusive possession, his custody since 12 July 2026, an earlier case ending in acquittal, and the likely delay in trial.

The State opposed bail, noting the quantity seized and alleged involvement.

Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, provides the basis for the High Court’s consideration of regular bail.

The Court assessed the application by reference to the circumstances identified in its order, including the nature and gravity of the allegations, the applicant’s criminal antecedents, the circumstances of the seizure, parity with bailed co-accused, the period of custody and the likely time required to conclude the trial. No separate precedent or further legal test was cited.

The Court considered that the alleged liquor and spirit had been seized from co-accused persons, rather than from the applicant’s exclusive possession, and that the applicant’s earlier criminal case had ended in acquittal, leaving no subsisting criminal antecedents.

It also noted that several similarly situated co-accused had been granted bail, that the applicant had been in custody since 12 July 2026, and that the trial was likely to take time. On those combined circumstances, the Court found it appropriate to grant regular bail.

It directed that the applicant be released upon furnishing a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety for the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court.

Bail was subject to conditions prohibiting interference with witnesses or the fair and expeditious trial and requiring the applicant to attend every date fixed by the trial Court until the trial’s disposal.