p. 1 (M.Cr.C.No.2527/2025) 2025:CGHC:22082 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2527 of 2025 Ramashankar Nayak, S/o Sajan Singh, Aged about 30 years, R/o Shashtri Nagar, P.S. Bichhwan, District Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh. (In Jail) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh, Through Station House Officer, Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Sudhir Kumar Sahu, Advocate. For Non-applicant : Mr. Neeraj Sharma, Deputy Advocate General. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 15.05.2025 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.83/2025 registered at Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief is that the police of Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund received an information from the informant that one unknown person has kept the contraband article Ganja on his motorcycle for sale and on the said information, the police have seized 13.500 Kgs. of Ganja SISTA SOMAYAJULU Digitally signed by SISTA SOMAYAJULU Date: 2025.05.15 18:19:31 +0530 p. 2 (M.Cr.C.No.2527/2025) from the place of incident at an open place, and thereafter, the aforesaid offence was registered against the applicant. 3. It has been argued by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that prosecution agency has not followed the provisions under Section 42 of the NDPS Act and not taken search warrant from the superior authority. He also submits that from the possession of the applicant intermediate quantity of Ganja was seized, and therefore, it will not attract the rigors of Section 37 of the NDPS Act as the commercial quantity of Ganja as prescribed under the schedule is more than 20 Kgs. and from the possession of the applicant, 13.500 Kgs. of Ganja was seized. It is further submitted by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant has no criminal antecedents and he is in jail since 10-2-2025 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the State/non-applicant would oppose the bail application and submit that the charge-sheet has been filed against the applicant in the present case before the competent Court, copy of which is taken on record and also endorse the said submission that the applicant has no criminal antecedents. He further submits that from the possession of the applicant, contraband article i.e. 13.500 Kgs. of Ganja was seized, therefore, the present applicant is not entitled for grant of bail. It is further submitted that though the applicant belongs to the State of Uttar Pradesh, but he has no criminal antecedents either in the State of Uttar Pradesh or in the State of Chhattisgarh. Page 3 of 4 (M.Cr.C.No.2527/2025) 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case that the contraband article i.e. 13.500 Kgs. of Ganja was recovered from the possession of the applicant, which is less than commercial quantity, moreover, the present applicant has no criminal antecedents and also considering the fact that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court and the applicant is in jail since 10-2-2025, conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. Accordingly, the application is allowed. 7. Let the Applicant – Ramashankar Nayak, involved in Crime No.83/2025 registered at Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, be released on bail on furnishing personal bond with two local sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against his under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Page 4 of 4 (M.Cr.C.No.2527/2025) (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Soma