[2026:JHHC:23985] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.7544 of 2026 ------ Balram Mahato, aged about 49 years, S/o Late Oju Mahato, R/O. Line No.2, Hindu Basti, P.O. + P.S.- Golmuri, Dist.- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. ... .... …. Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand .... .... .... Opposite Party ------ CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY ------ For the Petitioner : Ms. Kaushiki Mishra, Advocate For the State : Mr. P.D. Agrawal, Spl.P.P ------ Order No.02 Dated:-12-08-2026 Heard the parties. The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Golmuri P.S. Case No. 17 of 2026 registered for the offence punishable under Section 15(c) of the NDPS Act. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was involved in selling of poppy straw and police recovered 88 kilograms of poppy straw which comes under commercial quantity. It is next submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is false. It is further submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 11.02.2026 as mentioned in para-01 of the instant bail application. It is lastly submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to co-operate with the trial of the case. Hence, it is submitted that the petitioner be released on bail. Learned counsel appearing for the State on the other hand opposes the prayer for bail of the petitioner and submits that keeping in view the recovery of poppy straw in commercial quantity the rigors of section 37 of the NDPS Act is attracted in this case and in the absence of any material to be satisfied that the petitioner is not guilty of the offence and that he will not commit any offence while on bail, as also the fact that there is every chance of the petitioner absconding and tampering with the evidence, if released on bail; the petitioner ought not to be released on bail. Considering the serious nature of allegation against the petitioner of recovery of poppy straw in commercial quantity as well as in the absence of any reasonable ground for this Court for believing that the petitioner is not guilty of the offence or that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail as well as the chance of her absconding and tampering with the evidence, if released on bail, this Court is not inclined to admit the above named petitioner on bail. Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the above-named petitioner is rejected. (Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.) 12/08/2026 Amar/