Page No.# 1/3 GAHC030001492026 THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) Case No. : AB/5/2026 Sh. C. Zodingliana S/o C. Vanlallenga, Tlangnuam, Aizawl VERSUS The State of Mizoram Aizawl Advocate for the Petitioner : Mr. Lalrokunga Pautu Advocate for the Respondent : P.P./Addl.PP, Mizoram BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NELSON SAILO ORDER Date : 24.03.2026 Heard Ms. P. Gupta, learned counsel for the petitioner through RVC. Also heard Ms. Vanneihsiami, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, Mizoram for the State. [2.] By filing this application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the applicant prays for grant of anticipatory bail, since he apprehends his arrest in connection with registration of Excise Case No. N-73/2025 by the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics, Anti Narcotics Court, under Section 21(c) of the ND&PS Act, 1985 and under Section 6(1), 7(3) of the MLP Act, 2019. Page No.# 2/3 [3.] The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has no involvement in the aforesaid case but at the same time apprehends that he will be arrested since the contraband substances was seized from the premises of the petitioner, which was occupied by the accused person. [4.] This Court upon considering the projection made by the learned counsel for the petitioner had issued notice and directed the learned Additional Public Prosecutor to produce the Case Diary. [5.] Ms. Vanneihsiami, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, Mizoram, has produced the Case Diary, wherein, it is seen that the investigating authority had sought for extension of time for investigating the matter by submitting an application before the Judge, Special Court under ND&PS Act on 28.10.2025. [6.] The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submits that the application was accordingly allowed, but the Investigating Authorities are unable to get any cooperation from the petitioner, since he is not residing within the State but has absconded to another State and thereby making it difficult for the investigating team to apprehend him and complete the investigation. [7.] The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner in fact is currently residing in Allahabad, where he is engaged in promoting music as a Music Director as well as a Composer of Music. She submits that in fact the petitioner is the founder of “The Mizo Cardinal Choir”, which has performed for the highest dignitaries including the President and Prime Minister of India. Further, he has no records of any criminal antecedents in the past and that in the event of being granted anticipatory bail, the petitioner is willing to cooperate with the Investigating Authorities. [8.] Considering the submissions made and upon perusal of the Case Diary, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, as prayed for. Page No.# 3/3 [9.] It is therefore provided hereunder that the petitioner on being arrested shall be released on bail by furnishing a bail bond of Rs.50,000/- with two (2) sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Investigating Authority. The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer on or before 20th April, 2026, where- after as directed hereinabove upon his furnishing a bail bond and the requisites; he shall be allowed to remain on bail. The petitioner shall however extend all corporation with the investigation by appearing before the Investigating Authority as and when he is asked to do so. The petitioner shall also not involve himself or influence any of the witnesses on conceal materials which are being investigated into by the Investigating Authority. The petitioner shall also not leave the jurisdiction of the Investigating Authority without prior intimation and permission. [10.] The anticipatory bail application accordingly stands disposed of as allowed. JUDGE Comparing Assistant