IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD 19 ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1459 OF 2026 RAVINDRA GANESH PAWARA VERSUS THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANOTHER ... Mr. Chaitanya Chandrakant Deshpande, Advocate for Applicant Mr. A. R. Kale, APP for the Respondent/State CORAM : R. M. JOSHI, J. DATED : 21st SEPTEMBER, 2026 PER COURT :- 1. Applicant seeks pre-arrest bail in connection with Crime No. 115 of 2025, registered with Shirpur Police Station, District Dhule, for the offences punishable under Sections 8(C), 20(B)(II)(C) and 22(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. 2. First Information Report indicates that, pursuant to secret information, a place was raided, wherein Ganja weighing 605 kg was seized. It is the case of the prosecution that one person was found at the said premises and he ran away from the spot. Since the secret information was in respect of the present Applicant, it is assumed that the Applicant was the person who ran away from the spot. 3. Learned Advocate for the Applicant, on instructions, makes a statement 19 ABA 1459.2026.odt 1 of 3 2026:BHC-AUG:42795 that the Applicant has no concern with the premises or the land in which the said premises is situated. It is his submission that, in the absence of any evidence to connect the Applicant with the said premises, no offence can be said to have been committed by him. 4. Learned APP opposed the grant of any protection to the Applicant by referring to the secret information received, as also the panchnama indicating recovery of 605 kg of Ganja from the premises which, according to the prosecution, belongs to the present Applicant. He also drew attention of the Court to the statements of police witnesses recorded during the course of investigation. 5. Prima facie perusal of the investigation papers does not indicate any evidence to show that the premises from which the seizure was made belonged to the Applicant. Though there is an allegation that the Applicant was cultivating the land in which the said premises is situated, there is no material to support the same. Having regard to these facts, this Court finds that, prima facie, there is no evidence to connect the Applicant with the crime in question. The Applicant has no criminal history. Hence, the order:- ORDER (i) Application is allowed. (ii) In the event of arrest of applicant in connection with 19 ABA 1459.2026.odt 2 of 3 Crime No. 115 of 2025, registered with Shirpur Police Station, District Dhule, for the offences punishable under Sections 8(C), 20(B)(II)(C) & 22(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, he shall be released on bail on furnishing PR Bond of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) with one solvent surety in the like amount. (iii) He shall not contact the witnesses directly or indirectly. (iv) He shall not interfere with the evidence in any manner whatsoever. (v) He is further directed to cooperate the investigating agency for further investigation. (vi) He is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer on 29.09.2026 and 01.10.2026 between 11.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. as and when called by the Investigating Officer. 6. Learned APP for the Respondent/State to communicate this order to the concerned Police Station. ( R. M. JOSHI, J.) ssp 19 ABA 1459.2026.odt 3 of 3