1 2026:CGHC:21438 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 4289 of 2026 • Raju Sahu S/o Salikram Sahu Aged About 35 Years R/o Village Kudhurtal, Police Station Lalpur, District Mungeli (C.G.) (As Per Charge Sheet) ... Applicant(s) versus • State of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer Police Station Lormi, District Mungeli (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Virendra Verma, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Shailendra Sharma,Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 07/05/2026 1. This is First bail application filed under Section 483 of the BNSS for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.79/2025 registered at Police Station – Lormi, District - Mungeli (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 15.02.2025, Inspector Akhilesh Kumar Vaishnav of Police Station Lormi received information through an informer that one person along with another VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2026.05.11 17:27:50 +0530 2 associate was illegally transporting narcotic substance (ganja) in a Mahindra car bearing registration No. CG 12 AF 3456 from village Kudhurtal towards village Khektara, upon which he, after issuing notices to witnesses and taking necessary materials for proceedings under the NDPS Act along with staff and witnesses, reached spot and conducted a raid, wherein a car was intercepted and two persons were found seated, one on the driver's seat and another beside him, who on inquiry disclosed their names as Raju Sahu (present applicant) and Ramraj, and after informing them of their rights under Section 50 of the NDPS Act and conducting their personal search nothing incriminating except clothes was found, however upon search of the said vehicle three white plastic sacks were found containing 28 packets each wrapped in brown tape totaling 86.250 kg ganja valued at 8,50,000/- which was seized from the possession of present applicant and upon notice no valid documents were produced and as both accused were found transporting commercial quantity of ganja for illegal sale, Crime No.79/2025 under Section 20(b) NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Lormi against them and they were arrested and during investigation notice was issued to the registered owner Arun Kumar Khunte who disclosed that the vehicle was driven by Santosh Kumar Lahre, who on being taken into custody stated that he was employed by the owner and had handed over the vehicle to Raju Sahu on 15.02.2025 due to monetary inducement and on finding 3 sufficient evidence against other co-accused persons Arun Kumar Khunte and Santosh Kumar Lahre they were arrested on 19.06.2025 and after completion of investigation charge-sheet has been filed under Section 20(b) NDPS Act which is presently pending for prosecution evidence. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant would submits that the applicant 3 has been falsely implicated in this case. It is also submitted that applicant has neither committed nor participated in any crime and he has falsely implicated by the police. He also submits that the essential ingredients of alleged offence is not prima-facie attracted against the applicant. He further submits that the false seizure memo has been prepared by the police. He also submits that some material and other important witnesses have been examined and they have not supported the case of prosecution. It is further contended that one co-accused has already been granted bail by this Court and applicant is in jail since 15.02.2025 and trial may take some time for it’s conclusion, therefore present applicant is also entitle for grant of bail. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the State/non-applicant would oppose the bail application and submits that applicant have some previous criminal antecedent and details of the same are mentioned in the bail application at paragraph No.4(a). He also submits that the contraband articles which is said to have been recovered from the possession of the applicant and co-accused i.e. 28 packets each wrapped in brown tape totaling 86.250 kg ganja valued at 8,50,000/-. He also submits that bail application of other co-accused persons were rejected in MCRC No.5700 of 2025, MCRC No.8085 of 2025 and MCRC No. 1454 of 2026 vide order dated 20.08.2025 13.10.2026 and 10.02.2026 respectively. As such, the present applicant is not entitled to be released on bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and further the fact that the bail application of other co-accused persons were rejected in MCRC No.5700 of 2025, MCRC No.8085 of 2025 and 4 MCRC No. 1454 of 2026 vide order dated 20.08.2025 13.10.2026 and 10.02.2026 respectively and the contraband article i.e. 28 packets, each wrapped in brown tape; a total of 86.250 kgs of ganja, valued at ₹8,50,000, which is said to have been recovered from the possession of the applicant and co-accused, but the applicant has failed to give an explanation for the same and it cannot be a case of false implication, thus this Court is of the view that it is not a fit case to release the applicant on bail. 7. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant –Raju Sahu filed under Section 483 of the BNSS, involved in Crime No.79/2025 registered at Police Station – Lormi, District - Mungeli (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, is rejected. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice vaishali