Lokesh Shriwas v. State Of Chhattisgarh

NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH, BILASPUR M.Cr.C No.6724 of 2021 Lokesh Shriwas S/o- Dileep Shriwas Aged About 20 Years R/o- Tundra, P.S.- Gidhouri, Tundra, Distt.- Balodabazar, Bhatapara (Chhattisgarh) ---- Applicant

Versus

State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Gidhouri, Tundra, (Not Mentioned In Cause Title Of Impuned Order), Distt.- Balodabazar, Bhatapara (Chhattisgarh) --- Non-Applicant For Applicant:

Shri Ram Sajiwan, Advocate.

For Non-Applicant/State:

Dr (Ms.) Veena Nair, Dy. Advocate General.

Hon'ble Shri Justice Gautam Chourdiya Order on Board through Video Conference 03.09.2021 1.

The Applicant has preferred this application under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.113/2021 registered at Police Station Gidhouri, Tundra for the offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the CG Excise Act.

2.

Case of the prosecution is that on receiving a secret information that the present Applicant was selling illicit liquor behind the cultural building of Nagar Panchayat, Tundra, the police headed out and recovered 40 bulk liters of (kacchi mahua) country made liquor from his illegal possession. 3.

Learned counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant has been falsely implicated in this crime and is languishing in jail since 20.08.2021 and due to COVID-19 pandemic conclusion of trial is likely to take some time, therefore, he may be released on bail. 4.

On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposed the bail application. However, he submits that the Applicant has only one criminal antecedent against him under Sections 354 and 452 IPC.

5.

I have heard learned Counsel for both the parties and perused the case diary.

6.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the quantity of the liquor, the fact that the Applicant is in jail since 20.08.2021 and that there is only one criminal antecedent against him under Sections 354 and 452 IPC and the trial may take some time due to Covid-19 Pandemic, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, I am inclined to allow this application.

7.

Accordingly, the instant M.Cr.C is allowed and it is directed that in the event of the Applicant's executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- with two sureties of Rs.1,00,000/- each to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- i.

he 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 from disclosing such fact to the Court, ii.

he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial, and iii.

he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. iv.

he shall strictly follow the COVID-19 protocol issued by the Central Government / State Government / Local Authority. v.

he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future.

Let a copy of this order be forwarded to the concerned police station forthwith who shall inform the trial Court in the event of Applicant's involving himself in any offence in future. Sd/- Gautam Chourdiya JUDGE Priya