[2026:JHHC:11664] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.11354 of 2025 ------ Niraj Kumar Manjhi, aged about 26 years, Son of Shri Kailash Manjhi, resident of Village-Meral, P.O. Mahil, P.S.- Murhu, District- Khunti. .... .... …. Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand .... .... .... Opposite Party ------ CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY ------ For the Petitioner : Mr. A.K. Sahani, Advocate. For the State : Mrs. Bandana Sinha, A.P.P. ------ Order No.05 Dated- 20-04-2026 Heard the parties. The petitioner has been made accused in connection with N.D.P.S. Case No. 74 of 2025, arising out of Murhu P.S. Case No. 43 of 2025 registered for the offences punishable under Sections 15(c), 22 and 25 of the N.D.P.S. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that while the petitioner was transporting 174.5 kg. of poppy straw on a Bolero vehicle, he was apprehended by police. It is next submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner is that the allegation against the petitioner is false. It is next submitted that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents as mentioned in para-18. It is next submitted that the petitioner undertakes that he will co-operate with the trial of the case and will not annoy or disturb the informant or witnesses of the case. It is lastly submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 04th July, 2025 as mentioned in para-01 of the instant bail application. Hence it is submitted that the petitioner be released on bail. Learned Spl.P.P. vehemently opposes the prayer for bail of the petitioner and has submitted that keeping in view the fact that the petitioner was involved in transportation of poppy straw in commercial quantity, the rigors of Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 is attracted in this case and in absence of any material to suggest that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the petitioner is not guilty of the offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail, besides the chance of the petitioner absconding and tampering with evidence, if released on bail, the petitioner ought not be admitted to bail. Considering the serious nature of allegation against the petitioner of being involved in transportation of poppy straw in commercial quantity, in the absence of any material to suggest that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the petitioner is not guilty of the offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail, as also the chance of the petitioner absconding and tampering with evidence if released on bail, this Court is of the considered view that this is not a fit case where the abovenamed petitioner be admitted to bail. Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the abovenamed petitioner is rejected. (Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.) 20/04/2026 Amar/-