- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15784 CRL.P No. 3370 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 3068 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 3370 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)-) C/W CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 3068 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)) IN CRL.P No. 3370/2026 BETWEEN: RAKSHITH C S/O. CHANDRU AGED ABOUT 24 YEARS R/A NO.11, 11TH CROSS, VEB HOUSE, ASHOKNAGAR, VIDYAPEETA, BANGALORE-560050 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. KARTHIK M., ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE BY KUMARSWAMY LAYOUT POLICE STATION (REP. BY SPP HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BANGALORE-560001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RANGASWAMY R, HCGP) Digitally signed by PAVITHRA N Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15784 CRL.P No. 3370 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 3068 of 2026 THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN CRIME 244/2025 FOR AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE SECTIONS 8(c) AND 22(c) OF NARCOTICS DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ACT, 1985. OF KUMARSWAMY LAYOUT POLICE STATION, NOW PENDING IN XXII ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL AND SESSION JUDGE, C/C XXXV ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL AND SESSION JUDGE AND SPECIAL JUDGE (NDPS), BENGALURU. IN CRL.P NO. 3068/2026 BETWEEN: 1. SHREYAS S N S/O NAVANEETH AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS RA/T NO. 160, 6TH CROS SHANTHINAGAR BANGALORE PRESENTLY R/A NO. 12/1, 8TH MAIN TATA SILK FARM BANASHANKARI 2ND STAGE BENGALURU - 560 070 ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. KARTHIK M.,ADVOCATE) - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15784 CRL.P No. 3370 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 3068 of 2026 AND: 1. THE STATE BY KUMARASWAMY LAYOUT POLICE STATION REP BY HPP BANGALORE ...RESPONDENT (BY SMT.ASNA KASER, ADDL.SPP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECDTION 439 CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN CRIME 244/2025 FOR AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE SECTIONS 8(c) AND 22(c) OF NARCOTICS DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ACT, 1985. OF KUMARSWAMY LAYOUT POLICE STATION, NOW PENDING IN XXII ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL AND SESSION JUDGE, C/C XXXIV ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL AND SESSION JUDGE AND SPECIAL JUDGE (NDPS), BENGALURU. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioners are arrayed as accused Nos.1 and 2 in Crime No.244/2025 seeking regular bail for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c) and 22(c) of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 of Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15784 CRL.P No. 3370 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 3068 of 2026 2. The case of the prosecution is that, on 20.08.2025 at about 7.30 p.m., while the complainant was on patrolling duty along with his staff, he has received a credible information that two unknown persons were selling LSD strips at the third floor of House No. 3440, 1st Stage, 68th Cross, Kumaraswamy Layout. On receiving the said information, the complainant and his staff along with panchas went to the spot and conducted search of the bag of which the petitioners were possessed. They found that, 50 LSD strips weighing 1.11 grams were allegedly recovered. The said LSD strips were seized in the presence of panch witnesses after completing the necessary formalities. Accused Nos.1 and 2 were apprehended at the spot and were subsequently remanded to judicial custody. The respondent/police after registering the case, conducted investigation and submitted the charge sheet. 3. Heard Sri Karthik M., learned counsel for the petitioners in both the petitions, Ms. Asma Kouser, learned Addl. SPP for respondent in Criminal Petition No.3068/2026 and Sri Rangaswamy R., learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent in Criminal Petition No.3370/2026. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15784 CRL.P No. 3370 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 3068 of 2026 4. The submission of the learned counsel for the petitioners is that the petitioners are innocent of the alleged offences and they have not committed any offence as projected by the Investigating Officer. It is further contended that, even assuming that LSD was found in the house where accused Nos.1 and 2 were allegedly selling the said contraband, the quantity seized is a small quantity. The maximum punishment prescribed for the said offence is imprisonment which may extend up to ten years along with fine. Moreover, the petitioners are not habitual offenders. Therefore, they may be enlarged on bail by imposing suitable conditions. They will abide by the conditions to be imposed by this Court in the event of their release on bail. Making such submissions, learned counsel for the petitioners prays to allow the petitions. 5. Per contra, the learned Addl. SPP for the respondent/State in Criminal Petition No.3068/2026 and learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent / State in Criminal Petition No.3370/2026 have vehemently submitted that the petitioners have committed a heinous offence. The offence committed by them is against to the State - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15784 CRL.P No. 3370 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 3068 of 2026 and threat to the nation. Therefore, it is not appropriate to grant bail. Making such submissions, learned Addl. SPP and learned High Court Government Pleader prays to reject the petitions. 6. Heard the learned counsel for the respective parties and perused the averments of the complaint. The complaint came to be registered by the Police Inspector, CCB, against unknown persons, and the FIR was also registered against unknown persons. Thereafter, the CCB Inspector along with his team proceeded to the spot and allegedly found that the petitioners were selling the contraband. It is stated that the contraband was seized from the possession of the petitioners, and they were apprehended and arrested. 7. Learned counsel for the petitioners made available the deposition of Scientific Officer which would indicate that there is a discrepancy between quantity mentioned in the FIR and quantity allegedly seized in these cases. 8. Having considered the said aspects, it is appropriate to grant bail that would that would take care of the - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15784 CRL.P No. 3370 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 3068 of 2026 apprehension of the prosecution. Hence, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER i) The petitions are allowed ii) The petitioners are ordered to be enlarged and bail in both petitions in Crime No.244/2025 seeking for regular bail for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c) and 22(c) of Narcotics Drugs and psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 of Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station on executing personal bond in a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) each with one surety each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. iii) The petitioners shall not indulge in any similar cases till disposal of the present case or in future. iv) The petitioners shall appear before the Trial Court without fail. v) The petitioners shall not threaten the prosecution witnesses. - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15784 CRL.P No. 3370 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 3068 of 2026 In case, the petitioners violate 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 JS/bkm List No.: 1 Sl No.: 47