Devkumar Sahu Vs State of Chhattisgarh

1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 60/2026 registered at Police Station - Ghumka, District – Rajnandgaon (C.G.) for the offence under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

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2. As per the prosecution story, on 12.05.2026, the Police of Police Station Ghumka received credible information from a reliable informant regarding

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the illegal transportation of contraband. After completing the necessary legal formalities, the police team proceeded to the spot and set up a checkpoint near Ghumka College. The accused, Devkumar Sahu, who was riding a motorcycle, was intercepted and searched. During the search, three packets containing a total of 2.946 kg of Ganja were allegedly recovered from his possession. As the accused failed to produce any valid permit, licence, or other lawful authority for the possession and transportation of the said contraband, he was arrested.

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3. It has been argued by learned counsel for the applicant that the prosecution agency has not followed the provisions under Section 42 of the NDPS Act and not taken search warrant from the superior authority. He also submits that from the possession of the applicant, intermediate quantity of Ganja was seized, and therefore, it will not attract the rigors of Section 37 of the NDPS Act as the commercial quantity of Ganja as prescribed under the schedule is more than 20 Kgs and from the possession of the applicant 2.946 kgs of Ganja was seized. It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant has no criminal antecedents and he is in jail since 12.05.2026, conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant.

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4. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the State/non-applicant would oppose the bail application and submit that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court and also endorse the submission made by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant has no criminal antecedents.

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5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary.

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6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case that the contraband article i.e. 2.946 Kgs of Ganja was recovered from the possession of the applicant, which is less than commercial quantity. Moreover, the present applicant has no criminal antecedents, also considering the fact that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case before the competent Court and the applicant is in jail since 12.05.2026, conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case.

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7. Let the Applicant - Devkumar Sahu, involved in Crime No. 60/2026 registered at Police Station - Ghumka, District – Rajnandgaon (C.G.) for the offence under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 50,000/- with one surety with the following conditions:-

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(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.

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(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.

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(iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation

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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 initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

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(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.

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8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance.

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- Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) Judge

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Abhishek

Devkumar Sahu v. State of Chhattisgarh

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Devkumar Sahu v. State of Chhattisgarh

Case brief

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