Chhattisgarh
Excise Act, 1915
Twelve chapter notes covering the regulation of intoxicating liquor and narcotic drugs in Chhattisgarh — the post-2000 continuation of the colonial-era CP and Berar Excise Act 1915 with State-specific amendments, the licensing framework, the prohibitions on import, export, and transport, the offences, the search-and-seizure powers, and the punishments. Section first, offence category second, leading case third.
Chhattisgarh’s excise law — a 1915 colonial statute, still in force.
The Chhattisgarh Excise Act 1915 (originally the Central Provinces and Berar Excise Act 1915, continued in Madhya Pradesh after 1956 and in Chhattisgarh after 2000) governs the manufacture, possession, sale, import, export, and transport of intoxicating liquor and certain narcotic drugs in Chhattisgarh. Despite its 1915 colonial origin, the Act remains in force as the principal excise statute, with successive amendments to enhance punishments and modernise the licensing framework. The Act creates a licensing regime under the Excise Commissioner, levies excise duty and licence fees, prescribes punishments for offences, and confers extensive search-and-seizure powers on Excise Officers.
These notes anchor every chapter to its statutory section. The most-tested provisions are Section 13 (licensing of import, export, transport), Section 19 (manufacture and possession), Section 34 (general offences), Section 36 (offences relating to manufacture), Section 49 (presumption of culpable possession), and the Section on powers of Excise Officer.
Each chapter is designed to be read in twelve to fifteen minutes and to leave the reader with the statutory section, the offence category, the punishment, the presumption, and the leading authority.
How to read these notes
Start with the section.
Every chapter opens with the precise Section of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act 1915. Read it. The most-tested provisions — Section 13 (licensing), Section 34 (general offences), Section 36 (manufacture), Section 49 (presumption) — must be cited section-and-clause.
Identify the offence category.
Every Chhattisgarh Excise Act question first identifies the offence category. Import, export, or transport offence under Section 13 read with Section 34. Manufacture offence under Section 19 read with Section 36. Possession offence under Section 34. Each carries its own punishment and procedure.
Test on the leading case.
If you can restate the holding of Khoday Distilleries v. State of Karnataka, State of MP v. Nandlal Jaiswal, or State of CG v. Tameshwar Sahu in two sentences, you understand the chapter. If not, return to the statutory section and rebuild from there.
All 12 chapters, in 3 groups
Sequenced through the natural structure of the subject — every chapter sits in a doctrinal cluster.Foundations — Definitions & Licensing
Sections 1–20 — the regulatory framework
The Act’s scope and applicability across Chhattisgarh, the constitutional source in Article 47 and Entry 51 List II, the colonial-era origin in the CP and Berar Act 1915 and the post-2000 continuation in Chhattisgarh. The definitions including liquor, intoxicating liquor, narcotic drug. The licensing framework under Section 13 with categories of licence — retail vend, wholesale, manufacture, bonded warehouse.
Offences & Presumption
Sections 34–49 — the substantive offences
Section 34 general offences relating to import, export, transport, possession, sale of liquor without licence — the punishment scaled by quantity. Section 36 offences relating to unauthorised manufacture with the higher punishment. The Section 49 presumption of culpable possession when contraband is found in the accused’s possession. The post-State-formation amendments enhancing punishments.
Search, Seizure & Wrap-Up
Sections 51–78 + reference
The powers of Excise Officer including arrest without warrant, search of any place, seizure of contraband. The procedure on search. The cognizable nature of offences and the Magistrate’s jurisdiction. The forfeiture of property used in the commission of offences. The interface with the NDPS Act 1985 and the IPC. The landmark Chhattisgarh High Court and Supreme Court decisions on State excise law.