Woman Accused Of Possessing 11 Bulk Litres Of Mahua Liquor Gets Bail As Chhattisgarh HC Cites No Antecedents And Trial Delay

The applicant was arrested in connection with Crime No. 133/2026, registered under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, after police allegedly seized 11 bulk litres of handmade Mahua liquor from her possession.

She sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, contending that she had been falsely implicated, the liquor was not in her exclusive possession, the charge-sheet had been filed, she had no criminal antecedents, and trial would take time.

She had been in custody since 14 September 2026.

The State opposed bail, relying on the quantity allegedly seized.

The Court considered the application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which provides the relevant basis for seeking regular bail.

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

The Court applied no cited precedent and did not set out a broader legal test; its stated considerations included the nature and gravity of the allegations, criminal antecedents, filing of the charge-sheet, period of incarceration, and likely time for trial.

The Court weighed the allegation that 11 bulk litres of liquor had been seized against the applicant’s lack of criminal antecedents, the filing of the charge-sheet, her custody since 14 September 2026, and the likelihood that trial would take time.

Having considered these circumstances and the case diary, it concluded that the applicant was entitled to regular bail.

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

She must not interfere with or prejudice a fair trial and must appear before the trial Court on every date until disposal of the case.