1 2026:CGHC:21673 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 4320 of 2026 1. Rikesh @ Ritesh Singh S/o Shri Pampeshwar Singh Aged About 21 Years R/o Village- Saloni, Ward No. 12, Shitlapara, Thana- Jalbandha, Distt.- Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai (C.G.) (Applicant Name Correctly Mentioned) 2. Domeshwar Singh S/o Shri Pawan Singh Aged About 22 Years R/o Village- Saloni, Ward No. 12 Bhathapara, Thana- Jalbandha, Distt.- Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai (C.G.) ... Applicants versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House OfÏcer Police Station- Rajim, Distt.- Gariyaband (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicants : Mr. Rajendra Patel, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Shubham Bajpai, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 08.05.2026 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 applicants who have been arrested in connection with Crime No. 19/2026 registered at Police Station Rajim, District Gariyaband (C.G.) for the offence under Sections 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.05.08 19:01:41 +0530 2 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that on 19.01.2026, the police of Police Station Rajim received secret information to the effect that two persons were transporting contraband ganja from Gandhinagar towards Rajim River Bridge. Upon receiving such information, the police recorded the Rojnamcha Sanha, called independent witnesses, constituted a search team, and proceeded to the spot. Thereafter, the police intercepted the vehicle, informed the accused persons about the secret information, conducted a search, and allegedly seized 19.690 kg of contraband ganja wrapped with plastic tape. It is further alleged that, after complying with the mandatory provisions relating to search and seizure, the police weighed the seized ganja, prepared the Dehati Nalishi, arrested the applicants, deposited the seized articles in the Malkhana, registered the FIR, and, after completion of the investigation, filed the charge-sheet. 3. It has been argued by learned counsel for the applicants that the applicants have 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 applicants 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 joint possession of the applicants 19.690 of Ganja was seized. It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the applicants that the applicants have no criminal antecedents under the NDPS Act and they are in jail since 19.01.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicants. 3 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 in the present case before the competent Court and also endorse the said submission that the applicants have no criminal antecedents under the NDPS Act. 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. 19.690 Kgs of Ganja was recovered from the joint possession of the applicants, which is less than commercial quantity. Moreover, the present applicants have no criminal antecedents under the NDPS Act. Also considering the fact that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court and the applicants are in jail since 19.01.2026, conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, this Court is of the view that the applicants are entitled to be released on bail in this case. 7. Let the Applicants - Rikesh @ Ritesh Singh and Domeshwar Singh, involved in Crime No. 19/2026 registered at Police Station Rajim, District Gariyaband (C.G.) for the offence under Sections 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, be released on bail on furnishing personal bond with two sureties each in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicants shall file an undertaking to the effect that they 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 4 pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicants shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through their counsel. In case of their absence, without sufÏcient cause, the trial court may proceed against them under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicants misuse the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure their presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicants fail to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against them, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicants 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 applicants are deliberate or without sufÏcient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against them in accordance with law. 8. OfÏce 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 Abhishek