2026:CGHC:12783 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 1716 of 2026

1 - Krishn Kumar Shrivastava @ K.K Shrivastava S/o. Late S.P. Shrivastava, Aged About 65 Years R/o Ward No. 11, Near Aayappa Mandir Bhartiya Nagar, Bilaspur, District Bilaspur (C.G.)

... Applicant(s)

versus

1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O., P.S.- EOW/ACB, District Raipur C.G.

... Respondent(s)

For Applicant (s) : Mr. Sunil Otwani, Sr. Counsel assisted by Shri Ankush Borkar, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Dr. Saurabh Kumar Pande, Dy. AG (Hon’ble Shri Justice Arvind Kumar Verma)

Order on Board

17/03/2026 The present application arises out of FIR No. 04/2024 dated

17.01.2024 registered by the Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau, Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.), in connection with an alleged large-scale liquor scam pertaining to the State of Chhattisgarh. The said FIR invokes offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, read with Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

2. As per the prosecution case, the said FIR came to be registered on the basis of allegations that a large-scale conspiracy was hatched by certain public servants in connivance with private individuals, whereby illegal gratification was allegedly collected and undue pecuniary advantage was extended through manipulation of the excise system, causing wrongful loss to the State exchequer. It is alleged that the conspiracy involved several persons, including officials of the Excise Department, intermediaries and private entities, who, acting in concert, facilitated illegal collection and distribution of proceeds generated from the liquor trade. During the course of investigation, the name of the present Applicant surfaced, and he has been implicated as one of the accused in the aforesaid crime. The role attributed to the Applicant is stated to be connected with the alleged larger conspiracy, though the same is subject matter of investigation.

3. The record reflects that the investigation in the present case is extensive in nature, involving multiple accused persons and voluminous documentary evidence. It is further evident that the prosecution has filed charge-sheets against certain co-accused persons, while further investigation in respect of other accused persons is stated to be continuing. The Applicant came to be arrested on 09.01.2026 by the respondent agency, namely EOW/ACB, Raipur, and since then he is in judicial custody.

4. It is also borne out from the record that, as on date, no charge- sheet has been filed against the present Applicant. Consequently, cognizance in respect of the Applicant has not yet been taken by the competent Court. The material available on record further indicates that the investigation in the present case has been continuing over a period of time and is yet to attain finality. It is also reflected that further investigation is still in progress in relation to the said FIR. It further transpires that the case involves a large number of accused persons and witnesses, and multiple charge-sheets have already been filed, thereby indicating that the proceedings are at a preliminary stage and the trial is yet to commence.

5. From the material placed before this Court, it is also discernible that the investigation in the present case has been protracted. On earlier occasions, the investigating agency had sought time before the Supreme Court for completion of investigation, and extensions were granted from time to time. Despite such indulgence, the investigation is still stated to be ongoing. It further transpires that the trial in the present matter is not likely to commence in the near future. The case involves more than 50 accused persons and a voluminous body of evidence, including more than 300 witnesses, thereby indicating that the conclusion of trial is likely to take considerable time.

6. It is also borne out from the record that several co-accused persons, similarly placed or other