“Exams About To Start”: Chhattisgarh High Court Grants Bail To Class 12 Student Accused Of Possessing 40 Litres Of Country Liquor

Upon receipt of information, police officials of Saraypali District conducted a raid and seized the aforesaid quantity of liquor from the alleged possession of the applicant, and subsequently registered an offence punishable under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act for illegal possession of liquor.

When the applicant approached the High Court seeking bail, he argued that he was falsely implicated, and had no connection with the confiscated liquor— which was allegedly seized from an open place behind the house where several family members reside and many persons were present near the place of occurrence. Additionally, he contended that there was no evidence to establish that the said liquor was in the conscious possession of the applicant. As he was a class 12 student whose examinations were scheduled to be held from March 2026, he prayed for grant of bail.

In contrast, the State submitted that the charge-sheet had not yet been filed, and considering the substantial quantity of liquor seized, bail should not be granted.

Enlarging the applicant on conditional bail, Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha held,

“Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case that though the charge-sheet has not been submitted till date as the investigation is still going on and from the possession of the present applicant total 40.00 bulk liters of country made mahua liquor was seized, but the applicant is a 19-year-old student of Class 12th and his examinations are about to commence, he has no any previous criminal antecedent, and the applicant is in jail since 22.02.2026, the conclusion of the trial may take some more time, therefore, this Court is of the considered view that the present applicant is entitled to be released on regular bail in this case.”

The Court, however, ordered the applicant to— (i) not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court; (ii) remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel; (iii) not misuse the liberty of bail during trial; (iv) appear in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for opening of the case, framing of charge and recording of statement.

Accordingly, the bail application was allowed.

Case Details:

Case Number: MCRC No. 2308 of 2026

Case Title: Anup Bishra v. The State of Chhattisgarh

Click Here To Read/Download Order