Chattisgarh High Court
Karna Sharma @ Babu vs State Of Chhattisgarh on 18 March, 2026
Author: Ramesh Sinha
Bench: Ramesh Sinha
1
2026:CGHC:13011
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
MCRC No. 1694 of 2026
Karna Sharma @ Babu S/o Late Brijmohan Sharma, Aged About 38 Years R/o
House No. 156, Khatapur Muhalla, Ward No. 03 Thaneshar, P.S. Krishnagate,
District Kurukshetra, (Haryana).
... Applicant
versus
State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Jashpur, District
Jashpur (C.G.)
... Non-applicant
For Applicant : Mr. Arun Kumar Shukla, Advocate.
For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Shailendra Sharma, Panel Lawyer.
Digitally signed
by ABHISHEK
ABHISHEK SHRIVAS
SHRIVAS Date:
2026.03.19
15:04:01 +0530
Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
Order on Board
18.03.2026
1.The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of B.N.S.S. for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 201/2025, registered at Police Station Jashpur, District - Jashpur (C.G) for the offence punishable under Section 34(1)(a), 34(2) and 42 of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act.
2. As per the brief facts of the prosecution case, the police of Police Station Jashpur, on the basis of secret information, seized 6588.72 litres of English wine from a truck and registered the aforesaid case under the CG Excise Act against the applicant, and arrested him. 2
3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the present case and that no seizure has been made from his exclusive possession. He further submits that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents. He also submits that under Sections 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, minimum punishment is one year and maximum punishment is three years and the applicant has been in jail since 24.11.2025 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for releasing the applicant on regular bail.
4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel appearing for the State/non-
applicant opposes the bail application and submits that, in the present case, the charge-sheet has been filed before the competent Court. He further submits that the present applicant has two criminal antecedents one case is under the Excise Act and another case is under the BNS, which shows that the applicant is a habitual offender. As such, he is not entitled to the grant of bail.
5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary.
6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case also considering the fact that the applicant has two criminal antecedents, one case is under the Excise Act and another case is under the BNS, shows that the present applicant is a habitual offender and also in light of the judgment rendered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Deepak Yadav v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Another, reported in (2022) 8 SCC 559, wherein the Hon'ble Supreme Court had cancelled the bail granted to the accused therein on the ground that the accused had previous antecedents, this Court is of the opinion that it is not a fit case to enlarge the applicant on regular bail. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant - Karna Sharma @ Babu, involved in Crime No. 201/2025, registered at Police 3 Station Jashpur, District - Jashpur (C.G) for the offence punishable under Section 34(1)(a), 34(2) and 42 of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, is rejected.
7. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously.
8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith.
Sd/-
(Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Abhishek