Malkit Singh Randhawa @ Sonu vs State Of Chhattisgarh
2026 Latest Caselaw 598 Chatt

Chattisgarh High Court

Malkit Singh Randhawa @ Sonu vs State Of Chhattisgarh on 16 March, 2026

Author: Ramesh Sinha

Bench: Ramesh Sinha

                                                                       1




                                                                                       2026:CGHC:12469
                                                                                                       NAFR

                                           HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR


                                                          MCRC No. 2456 of 2026

                               Malkit Singh Randhawa @ Sonu S/o Balkar Singh Randhawa Aged About 41
                               Years R/o Kohka, Housing Board, Bhilai, Tehsil And Distt. Durg, Chhattisgarh.
                                                                                                   ... Applicant
                                                                   versus
                               State of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. Kumhari, Distt. Durg, Chhattisgarh.
                                                                                              ... Non-applicant

                               For Applicant                : Mr. R.K. Jain, Advocate.
                               For Non-Applicant/State      : Mr. Shubham Bajpai, Panel Lawyer.
           Digitally signed
           by ABHISHEK
           SHRIVAS
ABHISHEK
SHRIVAS    Date:
           2026.03.17
                                               Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
           11:11:04
           +0530


                                                             Order on Board
                              16.03.2026

                               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. 06/2013, registered at Police Station

Kumhari, District - Durg (C.G) for the offence punishable under Section

34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act.

2. As per the prosecution, on 03.01.2013, during the course of

investigation, 32 boxes containing 276.48 bulk litres of illicit liquor

(Golden Goa Whisky) were seized from the possession of Sandeep

Verma. At that time, two accused persons, namely Malkit Singh and

Haridwara Chouhan, absconded from the spot. After completion of the

investigation, the final report was submitted before the Court of law.

3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the entire allegation

levelled against the applicant is false and frivolous, and the applicant is

not responsible for committing the alleged crime. He has been falsely

implicated in the aforesaid offence. He further submits that the liquor was

seized from the possession of accused Sandeep Verma, and no recovery

has been made from the present applicant. It is further submitted that the

other co-accused, namely Haridwara Chouhan, was arrested in the year

2017, and a supplementary charge-sheet was filed against him. The

learned trial Court has rejected the bail application of the applicant only

on the ground that he had been absconding since the year 2013. The

learned trial Court has not mentioned any specific reason in the order for

keeping the applicant in jail. Therefore, the applicant ought to have been

granted bail. The order rejecting the bail application is unfair and

unjustified. 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 04.02.2026 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 the charge-sheet

has already been filed before the competent Court. He submits that on

03.01.2013, during the course of investigation, 32 boxes containing

276.48 bulk litres of illicit liquor (Golden Goa Whisky) were seized from

the possession of co-accused Sandeep Verma, and at that time the

present applicant, Malkit Singh (present applicant), along with another

accused, Haridwara Chouhan, fled from the spot. He further submits that

the applicant remained absconding since the date of the incident and

was eventually arrested on 04.02.2026, therefore, he is not entitled to the

grant of regular bail.

5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the fact that on

03.01.2013, during the course of investigation, 32 boxes containing

276.48 bulk litres of illicit liquor (Golden Goa Whisky) were seized from

the possession of co-accused Sandeep Verma, and at that time the

present applicant, Malkit Singh (present applicant), along with another

accused, Haridwara Chouhan, fled from the spot, moreover, the fact that

as the matter pertains to the year 2013 and the applicant has been

absconding since the incident took place and arrested on 04.02.2026,

there is every likelihood, that if he is granted bail, he will abscond again,

and further, hamper the trial, therefore, I am not inclined to grant regular

bail to the present applicant.

7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant - Malkit Singh

Randhawa @ Sonu, involved in Crime No. 06/2013, registered at

Police Station Kumhari, District - Durg (C.G) for the offence punishable

under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, is rejected.

8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and

conclude the trial expeditiously.

9. 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