In an appeal filed before the Supreme Court challenging the judgment and order dated 14-07-2025 of the High Court of Chhattisgarh, a Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan allowed the appeal and directed the Trial Court to grant him bail, subject to appropriate conditions to ensure his presence.
A First Information Report (FIR) had been lodged against the appellant on 25-03-2024 for the commission of offences punishable under Section 20(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). Thereafter, the applicant filed an application seeking regular bail, which was rejected by the High Court in the impugned order.
The appellant submitted that the allegations were untrue, and that he was merely a passenger in a truck from which the contraband, i.e., 150 kilograms of Ganja, was recovered. It was contended that there was no material on record to establish any nexus between the appellant and the contraband substance. It was also asserted that the appellant had been in jail since 25-03-2024 and that the trial had not progressed substantially.
Considering the facts on record, the Court found that a case for bail was made out. Thus, the appeal was allowed, and the Court directed the trial court to release the appellant on bail, subject to conditions that may be appropriate to ensure his presence in the proceedings arising out of the said FIR.
The Court directed the appellant to extend complete cooperation during the trial and to ensure that his liberty is not misused. The appellant was also directed to be present on every date of hearing, and the Court stated that failure to comply with the conditions may lead to cancellation of bail.
Appearances:
For Petitioner – Dr. Anindita Pujari (Sr. Adv.), Mr. Rohit Kumar – I (AOR), Mr. Shaileshwar Yadav, Ms. Radhika Mohapatra, Mr. Shailendra Singh
For Respondent – Mr. Vikrant Singh Bais (DAG), Mr. Ravinder Kumar Yadav (AOR), Mr. Vinayak Sharma
