1 CGHC010304392026 2026:CGHC:37596 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 7806 of 2026 Vrindaban Padhan S/o Late Sahdev Padhan Aged About 55 Years R/o- Gram- Rin Bachan, P.S.- Agalpur, District- Balangir (Orissa) ... Applicant versus Narcotics Control Bureau Unit Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.), Through P.S.- Pithora, District – Mahasamund (C.G.) ---- Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Adarsh Rajput, Advocate. For Non-applicant/NCB : Mr. Niraj Baghel, Advocate on behalf of Mr. Ramakant Mishra, Dy.S.G.I. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 21.08.2026 1. This is the First bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant arrested in connection with Crime No. 01/2024 registered at Police Station – Pithora, District – Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 8, 20(B)(ii)(b), 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 31.10.2023, officers of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Indore Zonal Unit, intercepted a Maruti Brezza vehicle bearing registration No. MP-20-CG- 0307 near Khan Dhaba, Jampali, within the jurisdiction of Police Station Pithora, District Mahasamund (C.G.). During the search of the vehicle, 16.094 kilograms of cannabis (ganja) was allegedly recovered and seized. Two persons, namely Kamal Raghuvanshi RAJSHEKHAR SONI Digitally signed by RAJSHEKHAR SONI 2 and Ajay Kushwaha, were found travelling in the vehicle and were apprehended on the spot. Thereafter, NCB Indore registered Crime No. 09/2023 for offences punishable under Sections 8, 20, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985. During investigation, the arrested accused persons allegedly disclosed, in their memorandum statements, that the seized contraband had been supplied by a person named "Padhan" and provided mobile number 9937587578. The said mobile number was found to be registered in the name of the present applicant, Vrindaban Padhan, a resident of Orissa. On completion of investigation against the arrested accused persons, a chargesheet was filed before the learned Special Court (NDPS), Mahasamund, and both accused were subsequently convicted by judgment dated 07.10.2024 in Special Criminal Case no 41/23. However, the investigation concerning the alleged supplier remained open. Thereafter, nearly one years after the initial seizure, NCB Raipur registered Crime No. 01/2024 and continued the investigation against the present applicant. It is pertinent to note that, apart from the memorandum statements ofthe co- accused and the mobile number allegedly linked to the applicant, no specific material connecting the applicant with the seized contraband had surfaced during the earlier investigation.On 22.06.2026, officers of NCB Raipur served a notice under Section 67 of the NDPS Act upon the applicant at Dunguripali Police Station, District Sonepur (Orissa). After recording his statement, the NCB alleged his involvement in the offence, seized his mobile phone, and arrested him on the same day. Hence, this application. 3 3. Learned counsel appearing for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It has been further submitted that the applicant is in jail since 22.06.2026, and the conclusion of the trial shall take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for respondent/NCB opposed the bail application and submits that from the perusal of the case- diary, it transpires that the applicant happens to be the supplier of the contraband article seized from the possession of the co-accused persons namely Kamal Raghuwanshi and Ajay Kushwah i.e. a total of 16.094 Kgs of Ganja, and the said co-accused persons were already convicted by the trial Court on 07.10.2024 in Special Criminal (NDPS Act) No. H-41/2023, and the trial of the present applicant was separated and pending, the case is of the year 2023, whereas the applicant being the supplier of the contraband article Ganja, was arrested by the Police on 22.06.2026, and there is every likelihood that if the applicant be enlarged on bail, he will abscond again, therefore, he is not entitled to be released on bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, the allegations against the applicant, and the fact that the applicant happens to be the supplier of the contraband article seized from the possession of the co-accused persons namely Kamal Raghuwanshi and Ajay Kushwah i.e. a total of 16.094 Kgs of Ganja, and the said 4 co-accused persons were already convicted by the trial Court on 07.10.2024 in Special Criminal (NDPS Act) No. H-41/2023, and the trial of the present applicant was separated and pending, the case is of the year 2023, whereas the applicant being the supplier of the contraband article Ganja, was arrested by the Police on 22.06.2026, and there is every likelihood that if the applicant be enlarged on bail, he will abscond again, hence, this Court is not inclined to extend the benefit of regular bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, this bail application of applicant – Vrindaban Padhan, involved in Crime No. 01/2024 registered at Police Station – Pithora, District – Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 8, 20(B)(ii)(b), 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act, is rejected at this stage. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed with the trial and conclude the same, 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 Rajshekhar