- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16342 CRL.P No. 1185 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 18TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 1185 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC)/483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: MANJUNATH M @ DHONI S/O MALLESHAPPA, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, MRATA CASTE, TENDER COCONUT BUSINESS, RESIDING AT NEAR CHOWDAMBIKA TEMPLE, JARIKATE VILLAGE, DAVANAGERE, TALUK, DAVANAGERE DISRICT, PIN CODE – 571 425. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SRINIVASA RAO B S., ADVOCATE) Digitally signed by PAVITHRA N Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16342 CRL.P No. 1185 of 2026 AND: STATE BY VIDYANAGARA POLICE DAVANAGERE, REPRESENTED BY SPP, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BANGALORE PIN CODE NO 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI.HARISH GANAPATHY., HCGP) THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 439 CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONERS ON BAIL IN THE CRIME NO.295/2025 OF VIDYANAGARA POLICE DAVANAGERE, ON THE FILE OF THE PRL.DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE AT DAVANAGERE FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 20(b)(ii)(A), 8(c), AND 29 OF NDPS ACT OF NDPS ACT BY ALLOWING THIS PETITION IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE. THIS CRL.P, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16342 CRL.P No. 1185 of 2026 ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner is accused No.10 seeking grant of regular bail in Crime No.295/2025 for the offences under Sections 20(b)(ii)A, 8(c), 22(C), 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Brief facts of the case: 2. The case of the prosecution is that a complainant came to be registered on 22.12.2025 around about 02.30 p.m. stating that the complainant has received the credible information that some unknown persons were transportation, possession and sale of ganja at J.H.Patel Park, Dollars Colony, Shamanur. On receiving the said information, the complainant went along with his staff and panchas and they found that accused Nos.1 to 4 were having illegal possession and sale of 89 grams of MDMA and 200 grams of opium. The said drugs have been seized by the respondent-Police. Hence, the complaint. The investigation is in progress. 3. Heard Sri. Srinivasa Rao B.S., learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri. Harish Ganapathy, learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent-State. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16342 CRL.P No. 1185 of 2026 4. It is the submission of learned counsel for the petitioner that as per the averments of the complaint only four persons were present and they were selling the contraband. However, the present petitioner is arraigned as accused No.10 and he has been implicated in this case on the basis of voluntary statement of the co-accused. Nothing has been recovered at his instance. There are no criminal antecedents against the petitioner. Therefore, the petitioner may be enlarged on bail by imposing suitable conditions. He will abide by the conditions imposed by this Court in the event of his release and bail. Making such submission, he prays to allow the petition. 5. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader vehemently submitted that the petitioner is one of the associates of accused Nos.1 to 4. The petitioner and others were indulging in selling the contraband. Moreover, in this case commercial quantity has been seized from the accused. The petitioner being one of the associates of the accused, he is not entitled for any relief as prayed for in the petition. Moreover, - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16342 CRL.P No. 1185 of 2026 the investigation is in progress. Hence, the petition has to be rejected. 6. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties and perused the remand application and the complaint, which would indicate that 4 persons were indulging in selling the ganja near J.H.Patel Park, Dollars Colony, Shamanur. The complainant and his staff went to the location and found that they were indulging in selling the contraband. The complainant and his team apprehended them and seized the contraband and drew the mahazar. The present petitioner has been implicated in this case on the basis of the voluntary statement of the co-accused. However, it appears that nothing has been recovered from his possession. 7. Having considered the said aspect, it is appropriate to grant him bail by imposing suitable conditions that would take care of the apprehension of the prosecution. 8. Hence, I proceed to pass the following: - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16342 CRL.P No. 1185 of 2026 ORDER (i) The petition is allowed. (ii) The petitioner is ordered to be enlarged on bail in Crime No.295/2025 of respondent-police for the offence under Sections 20(b)(ii)A, 8(c), 22(C), 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, on executing personal bond in a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with one surety for the likesum to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. (iii) The petitioner shall not threaten or tamper the prosecution witnesses nor hamper the proceedings of the Court. (iv) The petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on all hearing dates without fail. (v) The petitioner shall not involve in any criminal cases till disposal of the case. - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16342 CRL.P No. 1185 of 2026 In case, if, the petitioner violates any of the bail conditions as stated above, liberty is reserved to the prosecution to file necessary application for cancellation of bail. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE NR/- List No.: 1 Sl No.: 32