1 2026:CGHC:21452 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 1620 of 2026 Vinod Singh S/o Late Raj Bahadur Singh Aged About 23 Years R/o Purva, Ward No. 02, Post Bamrola, P S Kothi, District Satna (M.P.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O. P S Singhoda, District Mahasamund (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Manish Nigam, Advocate For Non-applicant : Ms. Vaishali Mahilong, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 07.05.2026 1. This is the Third bail application filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.100/2023 registered at Police Station – Singhoda, District Mahasamund (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 20b ARPAN SRIVASTAVA Digitally signed by ARPAN SRIVASTAVA Date: 2026.05.11 16:40:47 +0530 2 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. 2. That, the prosecution case, in brief, is that on 21.12.2023, acting upon secret information, the police intercepted a vehicle bearing registration No. MP-19/CC/6919 on NH-53 near Gram Rehtikhol. During the course of interception and search, the applicant namely Vinod Singh was found present in the said vehicle. Upon conducting search proceedings in accordance with law, the police allegedly recovered 100 kilograms of Ganja from the possession and conscious control of the applicant. Consequently, Crime No.100/2023 was registered at Police Station Singhoda, District Mahasamund, for the offence punishable under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. After completion of investigation, charge-sheet has been filed before the competent trial Court and the trial is presently under progress. The prosecution has alleged that the seized contraband falls within the category of commercial quantity and that the applicant failed to furnish any satisfactory explanation regarding possession and transportation of the same. 3. The First and Second bail application of the applicant was rejected by this Court on vide order dated 15.01.2025 & 23.04.2026 passed in MCRC No. 108/2025 & 3104/2025. 3 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and he is in jail since 21.12.2023 and despite prolonged incarceration, not even a single prosecution witness has been examined till date, thereby causing violation of his fundamental right to speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The present third bail application is being preferred on account of change in circumstances arising out of delay in trial after rejection of the earlier bail application on 23.04.2025, though the alleged contraband is commercial quantity. He further submits that as per the present status of the trial, the case is fixed on 11th May for recording defence evidence and the trial is at the verge of its completion. Hence, he is enlarged on bail. 5. Learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application and submit that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court. He further submits that the quantity of contraband article total 100 kgs were recovered from the possession of the present applicant, which is much above the commercial quantity and as such the applicant is not entitled to be released on bail 6. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 7. Considering the rival submissions of learned counsel for the 4 parties, the nature and gravity of allegations, and the fact that 100 kilograms of Ganja, which is above commercial quantity, was allegedly recovered from the possession of the applicant, this Court is not inclined to grant bail in view of the bar contained under Section 37 of the NDPS Act. Earlier bail applications of the applicant were rejected on merits on the ground that the seized contraband was commercial quantity and the applicant failed to furnish any satisfactory explanation regarding its possession. This Court does not find any substantial change in circumstances or any new ground for reconsideration of the present third bail application. Accordingly, the present bail application deserves to be and is hereby rejected. 8. Accordingly, the third bail application of the applicant – Vinod Singh filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, involved in Crime No.100/2023 registered at Police Station – Singhoda, District Mahasamund (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. is rejected. 9. However, this Court hopes and trusts that the if the charge sheet is submitted against the applicant, the Trial Court shall make an earnest endeavour to conclude the trial expeditiously, if there is no any legal impediment. 5 10. OfÏce is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Arpan