1 CGHC010218292026 2026:CGHC:29019 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5277 of 2026 Chandrahas Pradhan @ Pinku S/o Shri Jailal Pradhan Aged About 24 Years R/o Baital Bhata P.S. Jagdalpur District Bargarh -Orissa ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through- Station House Office, Police Station Pandri District Raipur C.G. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Rekhraj Baghel, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Monika Thakur, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 10.07.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 65/2026, registered at Police Station – Pandri, District - Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 20(b) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985. 2. As per the prosecution story, in brief, the concerned Police Station, Pandri, received secret information through an informant that on 24.03.2026, certain persons had kept illegal contraband ganja in a vehicle for the purpose of sale near Vigyan Kendra, Daldal Sivni, within the jurisdiction of Police Station Pandri, District Raipur. Acting upon the PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.07.12 12:50:24 +0530 2 said information, the police reached the spot and seized 9.500 kg of contraband ganja from the place of occurrence. Consequently, the police registered an offence punishable under Sections 20(b) and 29 of the N.D.P.S. Act, 1985, against the present applicant and other co-accused persons. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents. It is further submitted that the applicant has been in judicial custody since 24.03.2026, the charge-sheet has already been filed, and the trial is likely to take considerable time to conclude. Therefore, it is prayed that the applicant be enlarged on regular bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed. She further submits that the total quantity of the contraband substance recovered from the possession of the applicant, is less than the commercial quantity. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation made against the applicant and the fact that the total quantity of the contraband substance recovered from the possession of the applicant, is less than the commercial quantity, further inspite of the time granted to the State counsel calling for the criminal antecedents from the State of Odisha, the same has not been produced, the charge-sheet has been filed and the applicant is in jail since 24.03.2026 and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time, I am inclined to grant bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the applicant - 3 Chandrahas Pradhan @ Pinku involved in Crime No. 65/2026, registered at Police Station – Pandri, District - Raipur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 20(b) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two local sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he 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 pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicant 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 applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law. 4 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti