1 2026:CGHC:19046 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2633 of 2026 Sukhranjan Ray S/o Mani Mohan Ray Aged About 28 Years R/o MV-54, Chitrangpali, Malkhangiri, (Odisha) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer Police Station Kotwali, Jagdalpur District Bastar (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Mukesh Shrivastava, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Smt. Smriti Shrivastava, PL. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 24/04/2026 1. This is the second bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.101/2025 registered at Police Station Kotwali, Jagdalpur District Bastar (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 20 (B) of N.D.P.S. Act. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the concerned Police has GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.04.25 11:13:18 +0530 2 received secret information and on the basis of said information, raid was conducted and recovered total 30.821 KG contraband Ganja from the possession of the present applicant and other co-accused persons. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that this is the second bail application of the applicant and the first bail application of the applicant was rejected by this Court on merits vide order dated 06/08/2025 in MCRC No.6207/2025. He would submit that co-accused namely Ravi Kumar whose bail application has been rejected by this Court on 27/06/2025 vide MCRC No.3824/2025 has preferred an SLP (Crl.) No.623/2026 before the Apex Court and he has been allowed bail on 20/02/2026 by the Apex Court. He would submit that the applicant is in jail since 21/03/2025 and conclusion of trial will take some time, therefore, he prays for grant of bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application but she do not dispute the fact that the co-accused person has been granted bail by the Apex Court. She would further submit that the applicant has no criminal antecedents in the State of Odisha. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. From perusal of the records, it transpires that this is the second bail application of the applicant and the first bail application of the applicant was rejected by this Court on merits vide order dated 06/08/2025 in MCRC No.6207/2025. Considering the fact that co-accused namely Ravi Kumar whose bail application has been rejected by this Court on 27/06/2025 vide MCRC No.3824/2025 has preferred an SLP (Crl.) 3 No.623/2026 before the Apex Court and he has been allowed bail on 20/02/2026 by the Apex Court, further the fact that applicant has no criminal antecedents in the State of Odisha, he is in jail since 21/03/2025 and also considering the fact that trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion, therefore this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case. 7. 7. Accordingly, the second bail application is allowed and it is directed that the Applicant- Sukhranjan Ray, involved in Crime No.101/2025 registered at Police Station Kotwali, Jagdalpur District Bastar (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 20 (B) of N.D.P.S. Act, 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 4 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. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance. - Sd/- Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE gouri