Chattisgarh High Court
Golu Manjhi vs State Of Chhattisgarh on 2 March, 2026
Author: Ramesh Sinha
Bench: Ramesh Sinha
1
2026:CGHC:10783
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
GOURI MCRC No. 2091 of 2026
MUDALIAR
Digitally signed by Golu Manjhi S/o Patiram Manjhi Aged About 26 Years R/o Village Gudeli,
GOURI MUDALIAR
Date: 2026.03.02
18:22:59 +0530
Thana And Tehsil Sarangarh, District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh Chhattisgarh
... Applicant
versus
State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Excise
Area Sariya, District Sarangarh Bilaigarh Chhattisgarh
... Respondent
For Applicant : Shri Pramod Kumar Navratna, Advocate.
For : Smt. Smriti Shrivastava, PL.
Respondent/State
Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
Order on Board
02/03/2026
1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.87/2025 registered at Police Station Excise Area Sariya, Civil and Revenue District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable 2 under Sections 34(1)(a)(f), 34(2) and 59(a) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act.
2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 28.12.2025, the police received information from an informant that applicant was selling liquor illegally in Gudeli village, near Latnala. A total of 50 bulk liters of country made mahua liquor and 30 packets of mahua lahan in plastic bags, total weight of 600 kg were recovered from the applicant. The police have registered a case under sections 34(1)(a) (f), 34(2), and 59(a) of the CG Excise Act. Therefore, this bail application is being presented before the Hon'ble Court.
3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and 50 bulk liters of country made mahua liquor and 30 packets of mahua lahan in plastic bags, total weight of 600 kg was not seized from the exclusive possession of the applicant. He further submits that under Section 34(2) of the C.G. Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years. He also submits that applicant is in jail since 28/12/2025 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant.
4. Learned counsel for the State/non-applicant would oppose the bail application and submit that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court and the applicant has no criminal antecedents. She further submits that 50 bulk liters of country made mahua liquor and 30 packets of mahua lahan in plastic bags, total weight of 600 kg was recovered from the possession of the applicant, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 3
5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary.
6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant, he is in jail since 28/12/2025, applicant has no criminal antecedents, charge- sheet has been filed and further considering the fact that conclusion of the trial may take some more time, therefore this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case.
7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed and it is directed that the applicant - Golu Manjhi, involved in Crime No.87/2025 registered at Police Station Excise Area Sariya, Civil and Revenue District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 34(1)(a)(f), 34(2) and 59(a) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:-
(i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law.
(ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient 4 cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
(iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
(iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law.
8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court for necessary information and compliance forthwith.
- Sd/-d
(Ramesh Sinha)
Chief Justice
gouri