BAIL APPLN. 2538/2026 1 $~72 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + BAIL APPLN. 2538/2026&CRL.M.A. 19512/2026 MANISH KUMAR GAUTAM .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Aditya Aggarwal, Mr. Naveen Panwar, Advocates. versus STATE .....Respondent Through: Ms. Priyanka Dalal, APP with SI Manish. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN O R D E R % 08.07.2026 1. Applicant seeks regular bail in FIR No. 537/2025 registered at PS Rajouri Garden for commission of offence under Sections 20/29 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)Act. 2. The appellant was arrested on 09.10.2025. 3. The brief facts of the case are that on 08.10.2025, the applicant along with one Suresh was apprehended. They were found carrying bags in their hands. Upon search, applicant was found in possession of 1.080 kg ganja. When his co-accused Suresh was searched, he was found in possession of 2.075 kg ganja. 4. The chargesheet has, reportedly, been filed and the learned Trial Court has also ascertained charges as would be evident from the order dated 16.05.2026. The case is, thus, fixed for prosecution’s evidence. 5. The co-accused i.e. Suresh Chand Gautam is already on bail. 6. Learned counsel for applicant submits that there are sixteen witnesses as per the chargesheet and so far no witness has entered into witness box. He submits that since there is no likelihood of trial getting completed in near This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 13/07/2026 at 16:55:07 BAIL APPLN. 2538/2026 2 future and the recovery from the applicant is of intermediate quantity, which is marginally above the small quantity, the applicant deserves bail. 7. Learned APP for the State opposes the bail. She does admit that the quantity in question is intermediate quantity but also highlights that the applicant is having previous involvement in a NDPS case, involving commercial quantity and, therefore, he does not deserve any indulgence. 8. Learned counsel for applicant does admit about the abovesaid previous involvement and states that the criminal antecedents have been very, categorically, mentioned by the applicant himself in the affidavit. He submits that the other case was registered in the year 2021 and the applicant is already on bail in the such other case. 9. Keeping in mind the overall facts, albeit, without making any observation on the merits of the case, the applicant is directed to be released on bail on his furnishing personal bond in a sum of Rs. 25,000/- with one “local surety” of like amount, subject to the satisfaction of learned Trial Court/CJM/Duty Magistrate with the following conditions:- i. The applicant shall not try to contact and influence any witness, directly or indirectly. ii. He would provide his Mobile Number to the concerned I.O and would ensure that such Mobile Number remains active and operational, till the disposal of the case by the learned Trial Court. iii. Learned Trial Court would be at liberty to get the addresses of applicant and his surety verified, before accepting the bonds. In case, applicant wants to change his address later on, he shall give prior intimation in writing, not only to the concerned investigating officer but also to the learned Trial Court. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 13/07/2026 at 16:55:07 BAIL APPLN. 2538/2026 3 iv. The applicant shall appear before the learned Trial Court on every date of hearing. v. The applicant shall not indulge in any further criminal activity. 10. The application stands disposed of. 11. Pending application also stands disposed of. 12. A copy of this order be sent to the concerned Court and also to the Jail Superintendent for necessary information and compliance. MANOJ JAIN, J JULY 8, 2026/sw/sk This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 13/07/2026 at 16:55:07 This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 13/07/2026 at 16:55:07