Naresh Ganjhu Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Naresh Ganjhu Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Bail granted: petitioner to be released on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.20,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, NDPS, Latehar in connection with Herhanj P.S. Case No. 03/2026, subject to the conditions that he shall appear physically on each and every trial date unless his appearance is dispensed with for sufficient cause, and that he shall not tamper with prosecution evidence or influence or gain over witnesses.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, accused in Herhanj P.S. Case No. 03/2026 for offences punishable under Sections 17, 18 & 29 of the NDPS Act, should be admitted to bail.

Court's answer

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of allegation levelled against the petitioner and the materials available on record, the Court found substance in the contentions raised on behalf of the petitioner.

Ratio / Principle

The prayer for bail of the petitioner is allowed.

Key takeaways

The petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.20,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, NDPS, Latehar in connection with Herhanj P.S. Case No. 03/2026.ratio¶14
Bail condition: the petitioner shall appear physically on each and every date during the trial of the case till its conclusion, unless his physical appearance is dispensed with for sufficient cause to the satisfaction of the learned trial court.ratio¶14

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail granted (NDPS) - Naresh Ganjhu, accused in Herhanj P.S. Case No. 03/2026 under Sections 17, 18 & 29 of the NDPS Act (pending before the learned Special Judge, NDPS, Latehar), admitted to bail by the High Court of Jharkhand. The allegation of involvement in cultivating poppy plantation rested only on a disclosure by villagers; counsel submitted that no villager appeared during investigation who directly alleged the petitioner's involvement, that nothing incriminating was recovered from his possession, that he had no criminal antecedent, and that a similarly situated co-accused, Nandev Saw @ Nandu Saw, had already been granted bail by a coordinate Bench (order dated 16.03.2026 in B.A. No. 1485 of 2026). Finding substance in these contentions, the Court allowed the bail prayer on a bond of Rs.20,000/- with two like sureties, conditioning release on the petitioner's physical appearance on every trial date unless dispensed with for sufficient cause to the satisfaction of the trial court, and on abstention from tampering with prosecution evidence or influencing or gaining over witnesses. (Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, J.)

2026:JHHC:8027

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.1412 of 2026

Naresh Ganjhu, aged about 39 years, S/o. Bechu Ganjhu, R/o. Vill.- Dorang, P.O. & P.S.- Herhanj, Dist.- Latehar, Jharkhand.

For the Petitioner : Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Adv. : Mr. Gaurav Kaushlesh, Adv. For the State : Mrs. Bandana Sinha, A.P.P.

Order No.03/Dated- 20.03.2026

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned A.P.P.

The petitioner has been made an accused in connection with

Herhanj P.S. Case No. 03/2026, registered for offences punishable under Sections 17, 18 & 29 of the NDPS Act, which is pending in the Court of learned Special Judge, NDPS, Latehar.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case only on the disclosure made by the villagers that the petitioner is involved in cultivating poppy plantation. It is further submitted that during investigation of this case, no such villager has appeared, who has directly alleged the involvement of this petitioner. It is further submitted that nothing incriminating has been recovered from possession of this petitioner. It is also submitted that petitioner has got no criminal antecedent and similarly situated co-accused person, namely, Nandev Saw @ Nandu Saw has been granted bail by coordinate Bench of this Court vide order dated 16.03.2026 passed in

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2026:JHHC:8027

B.A. No. 1485 of 2026. Petitioner undertakes to cooperate in the investigation and trial of the case and abides by all terms and conditions which may be imposed. Hence, the petitioner may be admitted to bail.

Learned APP has opposed the prayer for bail of the petitioner.

Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case and nature of allegation levelled against this petitioner as well as the materials available on record, I find substance in the contentions raised on behalf of petitioner. Therefore, the prayer for bail of the petitioner is allowed. The petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge, NDPS, Latehar in connection with Herhanj P.S. Case No. 03/2026 with condition that petitioner shall appear physically on each and every date during the trial of case till its conclusion unless his physical appearance is dispensed with for sufficient cause to the satisfaction of the learned trial court and with further condition that petitioner shall not indulge in tampering with the prosecution evidence or influence the witnesses or gain over them.

(Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, J.)

20.03.2026 Rahul Uploaded on 23/03/2026

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