Chhattisgarh High Court Grants Bail to Class 12 Student for Board Exams in Liquor Case
In a significant ruling, the Chhattisgarh High Court has granted bail to a 19-year-old Class 12 student from Mahasamund district, who was arrested on February 22 this year for allegedly possessing 40 litres of country-made mahua liquor. The bail was approved to enable the student to appear for his upcoming board examinations, scheduled between March and April.
Court's Rationale for Granting Bail
Justice Ramesh Sinha, while passing the order on March 12, emphasized that the student had no prior criminal record and that the trial was likely to take considerable time to conclude. The bench noted that the student had been in jail since his arrest on February 22, and his clean history warranted bail under the circumstances.
Details of the Case and Legal Arguments
The student was booked by police in the Saraypali area of Mahasamund district under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, following a raid where officials reportedly seized the mahua liquor. Appearing for the student, counsel Sumit Shrivastava argued that his client was falsely implicated. He contended that the liquor was recovered from an open area behind a house shared by multiple family members, making it difficult to prove "conscious possession" by the student.
Shrivastava further informed the court that the boy is a regular student who had received his admit card for the board exams and had been in custody for nearly three weeks, jeopardizing his academic future. In opposition, state counsel Palak Dwivedi cited the recovery of 40 litres of liquor and the fact that the police are yet to file a charge sheet, urging the court to deny bail.
Broader Implications and Conclusion
The court's decision highlights the balance between legal proceedings and educational opportunities, particularly for young individuals with no criminal background. By granting bail, the Chhattisgarh High Court has provided the student a chance to continue his studies and appear for critical examinations, while the legal process unfolds. This case underscores the importance of considering personal circumstances in bail decisions, especially when they involve students facing pivotal academic milestones.
