Case brief
What is this about?
Regular bail allowed under NDPS Act (Sections 8(c), 22(c), 25, 27(A), 29) in Crime No.425 of 2023, Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik. MD recoveries: 58 g and 6.5 g from the applicants' house searches of 22.10.2023; alleged 1.20 kg from a third party's house on 25.10.2023. Prima facie doubt on panchanamas: three same-day panchanamas 30 minutes apart despite accused living in different localities, common panch witnesses, internal timing inconsistency, five-day-delayed recovery panchanama, nothing linking the room to the applicant. Section 42 NDPS compliance argued by defence; procedure compliance claimed by State. Over 2.5 years custody, no trial progress. P.R. Bond Rs.30,000/- each with one or two sureties; conditions of attendance and non-tampering. Bombay High Court, Shivkumar Dige, J., 12-03-2026.
What did the court decide?
Both applicants, Arjun Suresh Piwal and Manoj @ Govinda @ Manna Bharat Gangurde, enlarged on bail in Crime No.425 of 2023 (Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik) on executing a P.R. Bond of Rs.30,000/- each with one or two sureties in the like amount; they shall attend the concerned police station as and when required and shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case. Observations made only for the purpose of granting bail; the Trial Court to decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations.