Rohit Soni v. State Of Chhattisgarh

NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH, BILASPUR MCRC No. 1670 of 2020 • Rohit Soni S/o Shri Naresh Soni Aged About 28 Years R/o Ward No. 57 Nahar Road Urla, P.S. Mohan Nagar, District Durg Chhattisgarh.

---- Applicant

Versus

• State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Mohan Nagar, District Durg Chhattisgarh.

---- Respondent For Applicant : Shri Vijay Kumar Sahu, Advocate For Respondent/State : Shri Anurag Verma, PL Hon'ble Smt. Justice Rajani Dubey Order On Board 12/03/2020 The applicant has filed this application under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for grant of regular bail as he is in custody in connection with Crime No. 60/2020 registered at police station Mohan Nagar, district Durg (CG) for the offence punishable under Section 34 (2) of the CG Excise Act.

As per prosecution case, on 14.02.2020, after receiving secret information, the police raided the spot and seized 5.580 bulk liters of country made liquor which was kept by him for sale. Counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the crime in question. He submits that the applicant is in jail since 14.02.2020 and the trial may take

some time for its disposal and therefore he be released on bail. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application.

Heard counsel for the parties.

Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, in particular the detention period of the applicant and the fact that as per condition laid down in Section 59-A(ii) of the CG Excise Act 1915 and also the principles of law laid in Banti singh Vs. State of Chhattisgarh (MCRC No. 6846 of 2014), the applicant was found in possession of 5.580 bulk liters of illicit country made liquor which is more than the prescribed limit of 5 bulk liters, but looking to the fact that the applicant is in custody since 14.02.2020, case is triable by Judicial Magistrate First Class, the trial is likely to take some more time and also looking to the gravity of the offence, I am inclined to release him on regular bail. Accordingly, his application filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is allowed.

It is directed that in the event of the applicant's furnishing a personal bond of Rs.

I) That the applicant shall furnish a specific undertaking that while on bail, he/she will not commit any excise offence, otherwise bail granted to him/her shall be liable to be cancelled and shall co-operate the prosecution during trial.

ii) that the accused/applicant shall make himself/herself available for interrogation before the concerned Investigating Officer as and when required and the accused/applicant shall not, directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer. iii) That the accused/applicant shall not act, in any manner, which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. Sd/- (Rajani Dubey) Judge suguna