Akshay Ashok Hinge vs Union of India and Anr. — Narcotics (NDPS) | Bombay HC (2026)

Akshay Ashok Hinge vs Union of India and Anr. — Narcotics (NDPS) | Bombay HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Release on bail in NCB Crime No.27 of 2023 registered with the Intelligence Officer, NCB, Mumbai, on furnishing a PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount; subject to conditions that the Applicant shall not tamper with evidence or influence prosecution witnesses, shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required, and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Applicant is entitled to regular bail in NCB Crime No.27 of 2023 on the principle of parity, given that he has no antecedents and co-accused facing similar allegations have already been released on bail.

Court's answer

The Applicant, having no antecedents, is entitled to bail on the principle of parity because co-accused Chepuri Narsimlu and Nagma Khan, having allegations similar to those against the Applicant, have been released on bail.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

NDPS bail — principle of parity. The High Court of Judicature at Bombay (Shivkumar Dige J., 9 February 2026) allowed Criminal Bail Application No. 294 of 2025 filed by Akshay Ashok Hinge, arrested in NCB Crime No. 27 of 2023 (Intelligence Officer, NCB, Mumbai) for offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 21(c), 22(c), 27A, 28 and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985, following interception of a Mahindra Bolero pickup and recovery of seven drums of purported Alprazolam weighed between 14.100 k.g and 40.800 kgs. The arrest rested on the statement of co-accused No.4 naming the Applicant; co-accused Nos.1 and 2 had not named him in their first statements. The Applicant had no antecedents and had been in custody for more than one year and eight months. Co-accused Chepuri Narsimlu and Nagma Khan, facing similar allegations, had already been released on bail; bail was therefore granted on the principle of parity on a PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount, conditioned on non-tampering with evidence and non-influencing of prosecution witnesses, attendance at the concerned police station as and when required, and with the Trial Court directed to decide the case uninfluenced by the observations in the order.

11-BA-294-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 294 OF 2025

Akshay Ashok Hinge … Applicant

Versus

Union Of India And Anr … Respondents

Digitally signed NILAM by NILAM SANTOSH SANTOSHKAMBLE KAMBLE Date: 2026.02.11 11:50:41 +0530

Mr.Ayaz Khan, for the Applicant. Ms.Manisha Jagtap, for Respondent No.1-NCB. Mr.B.B. Kulkarni, APP for Respondent-State.

CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 9^th FEBRUARY 2026

P.C. :

. By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in NCB Crime No.27 of 2023 registered with Intelligence Officer, NCB, Mumbai for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 21(c), 22(c), 27A, 28, and 29 of the The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (‘NDPS’ for short).

It is prosecution’s case that based on information, police intercepted the Mahindra Bolero pickup vehicle with two occupants. In search of the said vehicle, Police recovered seven drums with purported

Page 1 of 3

11-BA-294-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

Alprazolam weighing at 40.800 kgs, 22.200 kgs, 18.200 kgs, 24.600 kg, 14.100 k.g and 25.100 kgs. respectively. The police recorded the statements of the co-accused Nos.1 and 2. In their first statement, they had not named the Applicant, thereafter the accused No.4 took the name of the Applicant and on the basis of his statement, police arrested the Applicant stating that the Applicant was party to the contraband transaction’s.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant has no antecedents. He is behind bars for more than one year and eight months. The Applicant has been arrested based on the statement of the co-accused, they have similar allegations like the Applicant, have been released on bail. Hence, the Applicant is entitled for bail on principle of parity, and requested to allow the Application.

It is contention of learned APP that, contraband of commercial quantity was recovered at the instance of the co-accused.

The Applicant was part of the said transaction’s. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application.

I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and

Page 2 of 3

11-BA-294-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

documents produced on record.

The Applicant has no antecedents. The co-accused Chepuri Narsimlu and Nagma Khan having similar allegations like Applicant have been released on bail. Hence, the Applicant is entitled for bail on principle of parity and I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Akshay Ashok Hinge be released on bail in NCB Crime No.27 of 2023 registered with Intelligence Officer, NCB, Mumbai, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.

(v) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms.

(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)

Page 3 of 3