1 CGHC010323812026 2026:CGHC:42431 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8616 of 2026  Rajendra Thakur S/o Late Prakash Chandra Thakur Aged About 36 Years Resident Of Tanki Mohalla Ward No.01, Harda, Police Station Tahsil- And District- Harda (M.P.) ... Applicant versus  State Of Chhattisgarh Through- The Station House Officer, Police Station Keshkal, District- Kondagaon (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Sunil Verma, Advocate For Non-applicant : Ms. Ritika Verma, P.L. Hon’ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order On Board 29.09.2026 1) The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.87/2024, registered at Police Station Keshkal, DIstrict : Kondagaon (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 20(b) (ii)(c) of NDPS Act. 2) Case of the prosecution, in brief is that on the basis of information given by the informer, police of Police Station Keshkal intercepted a vehicle and seized 22.380 kg of Ganja from the possession of applicant and co-accused person. Subsequently, applicant was arrested. Digitally signed by AJINKYA PANSARE Date: 2026.09.30 11:18:07 +0530 2 3) Learned counsel for the applicant submits that applicant has no criminal antecedent and he is languishing in jail since 30.06.2024 whereas the trial is progressing at slow pace as only 01 witness out of total 18 witnesses have been examined till date. He prays to allow this bail application. 4) On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the State/non- applicant opposes the bail application and submits that commercial quantity of contraband article i.e. 22.380 Kg of Ganja was seized from the possession of present applicant, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of regular bail. 5) I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6) It appears that contraband article i.e. 22.380 kg of Ganja was recovered from the joint possession of the present applicant and the co-accused person, which is well above the commercial quantity. However, it is right of the applicant to have a speedy trial as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution and he is languishing in jail since 30.06.2024. Furthermore, there are no previous criminal antecedent against the applicant and only 01 witness out of total 18 witnesses has been examined till date and conclusion of the trial may take some time. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail at this stage. 3 7) It is directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 50,000/- to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) he shall make himself available for interrogation by the police officer as and when required; (b)he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court; and (c) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to a fair and expeditious trial. The observation made hereinabove is for the purpose of deciding this bail application only, the learned trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits. Sd/- (Rakesh Mohan Pandey) JUDGE A j i n k y a