Regular bail granted after charge-sheet filing, despite disposed similar excise cases and likely trial delay.

On 1 August 2026, police allegedly seized 29.34 litres of liquor, valued at Rs. 17,940, from premises said to belong to the applicant and registered Crime No. 13/2026 for an offence under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act.

The applicant was arrested on 2 August 2026.

He sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, asserting that the liquor was not seized from his possession and that there was no material showing his knowledge or conscious possession.

The charge-sheet had been filed; the applicant also had two prior cases under Section 36-C of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, both disposed of.

Whether the applicant should be released on regular bail in connection with the alleged offence under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act

Whether the applicant’s criminal antecedents and the quantity of liquor seized outweighed the other circumstances relevant to bail

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

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

In deciding the application, the Court considered the circumstances of the case, including the nature and gravity of the alleged offence, the quantity involved, completion of the investigation and filing of the charge-sheet, the period of custody, the applicant’s antecedents, and the likely time required to conclude the trial.

No precedent was cited.

The Court weighed the alleged seizure of 29.34 litres of liquor and the applicant’s two similar antecedents against the fact that both prior cases had been disposed of, the charge-sheet had been filed, the applicant had been in custody since 2 August 2026, and the trial was likely to take time.

Having considered these circumstances, the Court found it appropriate to grant bail without expressing any view on the merits of the case.

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

A certified copy of the order was directed to be sent to the trial Court for information and compliance.