Extracted from the PDF above. The PDF is authoritative.
2026:HHC:4307 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA
Cr.MP(M) No. : 214 of 2026 Decided on : 25.02.2026
Vishal Sharma .......Applicant Versus Directorate of Enforcement Office (ED) ...Respondent
Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Virender Singh, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the applicant : Ms. Abhilasha Kaundal, Advocate For the respondent : Mr. Mohinder Zharaick, Mr. Tejasvi Sharma and Mr. H.S. Rawat,
Additional
Advocate General, assisted by SI Yog Raj, Police Station, CID Shimla. Virender Singh, Judge (oral) By way of the present application, filed, under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘BNSS), a prayer has been made to release applicant – Vishal Sharma, on interim bail, in case arising out of FIR No.125 of 2023, dated 15.09.2023, registered under Sections 22, 25 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, (hereinafter referred to as ‘NDPS Act’), and Sections 201, 465, 467, 471 1 Whether the reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes. 1
2026:HHC:4307 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as the ‘IPC) with Police Station Gagret, District Una. 2 The relief has mainly been sought on the ground that his real sisterinlaw (Bhabhi), had expired on 07.02.2026 and her last rites were performed on 13.02.2026 and ‘Kriya ceremony’ was also held on 16.02.2026. 3. According to the applicant, he wants to console his family members in this hard time and wants to be with his family. As such, a prayer has been made to grant 30 days’ interim bail to the applicant. 4. As per the applicant, his application for regular bail was dismissed, by this Court, on 12.09.2025 and the said order has unsuccessfully been assailed by the applicant before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, by way of SLP (Crl) No.18808/2025, which was dismissed on 09.02.2026. 5. When put to notice, the State has filed the status report, mentioning therein, about the factual position, as involved, in the present case. The applicant has been arrested, in the present case, on the basis of his involvement. The contraband, in the present case, falls within the definition of commercial quantity. 2
2026:HHC:4307
6. As per the status report, investigation, in the present case, is complete and the final report, has been filed in the competent Court of law. 7.
The applicant has also moved similar application before the learned trial Court, however, his application has been dismissed vide order dated 12.02.2026. 8. On the basis of the seriousness of the offence and involvement of the applicant in commercial quantity of contraband, it has been apprehended that in case, the applicant is released on bail, he may coerce the witnesses and also allure them to depose, in his favour. 9. On the basis of the above facts, a prayer has been made to dismiss the application. 10. Heard. 11. As per the documents annexed with the application, which is photocopy of card, regarding ‘Bhog/Prayer Meeting’ of Smt. Rani wife of Shri Rajinder Pal, was held on 13th February, 2026. In addition to this, to support his case, certificate issued by Gram Panchayat Singhpura, Ludhiana1, has also been annexed, with the application. 3
2026:HHC:4307
12. Considering the fact that real sisterinlaw (Bhabhi) of the applicant has expired, although, he could not attend the Bhog ceremony, but, in view of the stand of the applicant qua the fact that he has to mourn the death of his sisterinlaw (Bhabhi) and wants to be with his family in this difficult time, the ends of justice would be met, if the applicant is ordered to be released on interim bail for ten days. 13. As per the orders passed by the learned trial Court on 21.10.2024 and 10.10.2025, the applicant was earlier released, on interim bail, on two occasions and there is nothing on the record to demonstrate that the interim bail granted to him has been misused by the applicant. 14. Considering all these facts, the present application is allowed and the applicant is ordered to be released, on interim bail, w.e.f. 27.02.2026 to 08.03.2026, on his furnishing personal bail bond, in the sum of Rs.2,00,000/, with one surety, in the like amount, to the satisfaction of learned trial Court.
This order, however, shall be subject to the following conditions: a) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence nor hamper the 4
2026:HHC:4307 investigation of the case in any manner whatsoever; b) The applicant shall not make any inducement, threat or promises to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or the Police Officer; and c) The applicant shall not leave the territory of India without the prior permission of the Court. d) The applicant shall not visit any other place, except the place, where his family is residing. 15. The applicant is directed to surrender, before the jail authorities, on 09.03.2026, positively by 05.00 p.m.
16. Any of the observations, made hereinabove, shall not be taken as an expression of opinion, on the merits of the case, as, these observations, are confined, only, to the disposal of the present bail application. 17. Registry is directed to forward a soft copy of the bail order to the Superintendent of Jail, District Jail, Bangarh Una, through email, with a direction to enter the date of grant of interim bail in the eprison software. ( Virender Singh ) Judge February 25, 2026 (ps)
5 PRADEEP Digitally signed by PRADEEP Date: 2026.02.26 13:13:45 +0530