Harshit Raj Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Harshit Raj Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Release of the petitioner on regular bail upon furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, Palamau, subject to conditions of cooperation with the trial and furnishing of mobile phone number and photocopy of Aadhar Card with an undertaking not to change the mobile phone number during the trial.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, accused under Sections 17(b), 21(b), 22(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act in Chainpur P.S. case no. 234 of 2025, should be admitted to regular bail.

Court's answer

Considering the submissions of learned counsels and the facts stated, the Court was inclined to release the petitioner on bail.

Ratio / Principle

The court below was directed to release the petitioner on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, Palamau, in connection with Chainpur P.S. case no. 234 of 2025, conditioned on the petitioner cooperating with the trial and furnishing his mobile phone number and photocopy of Aadhar Card with an undertaking that he will not change the mobile phone number during the trial.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Regular bail granted to Harshit Raj (aged about 20 years), accused under Sections 17(b), 21(b), 22(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act in connection with Chainpur P.S. case no. 234 of 2025. As submitted by counsel, the petitioner was alleged to be engaged in illegal purchase and sale of Brown Sugar, with 13.12 gms allegedly recovered from his possession, 7.74 gms from co-accused Mansih Kumar and 8.38 gms from co-accused Badal Kumar; counsel contended the quantity recovered from the petitioner fell under intermediate quantity, that the petitioner had no criminal antecedent, and that he had been in jail custody since 04.12.2025. Considering the submissions, the Court directed the court below to release the petitioner on bail on a bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, Palamau, conditioned on cooperation with the trial and furnishing of his mobile phone number and photocopy of Aadhar Card with an undertaking not to change the mobile phone number during the trial. The Learned Spl. P.P. had opposed the prayer.

[ 2026:JHHC:9244 ] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. no. 1760 of 2026

Harshit Raj, aged about 20 years, son of Santosh Ram, resident of Semartand, P.O.- Sahpur, P.S.- Chainpur, Dist.- Palamau, Jharkhand … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … Opp. party

Coram: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY

For the Petitioner : Mr. Anurag Kashyap, Adv. For the State : Mr. Bhola Nath Ojha , Spl. PP

02 / 01.04.2026

Heard the parties.

The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Chainpur P. S. case no. 234 of 2025 instituted under Section 17(b), 21(b), 22(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was in illegal purchase and sale of Brown Sugar and 13.12 gms. of Brown Sugar was recovered from the possession of the petitioner while 7.74 gms. Of Brown Sugar was recovered from the possession of the coaccused Mansih Kumar and 8.38 gms. of Brown Sugar was recovered from the possession of the co-accused Badal Kumar. It is submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is false and the seized quantity recovered from the possessions of the petitioner comes under intermediate quantity. It is further submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner has no criminal antecedent, as mentioned in paragraph 13 of the bail application and he has been in jail custody since 04.12.2025, as mentioned in para 14 of this bail

application. It is next submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is ready and willing to cooperate with the trial of the case hence, the petitioner may be admitted to regular bail.

Learned Spl. P.P. opposed the prayer for regular bail.

Considering submissions of learned counsels and the facts as stated above, I am inclined to release the petitioner on bail. Hence, the court below is directed to release the petitioner on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge, Palamau in connection with Chainpur P. S. case no. 234 of 2025 with the condition that the petitioner will co-operate with the trial of the case and will furnish mobile phone number and photocopy of the Aadhar Card in the court below with an undertaking that he will not change the mobile phone number during the trial of the case.

( ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY, J.)

Dated 01.04.2026

Smita/-