Lav Pandey Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Lav Pandey Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Petitioner to be released 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 (NDPS), Simdega in connection with Jaldega (Bansjor OP) P.S. Case No. 18/2026, subject to conditions of non-interference with informant/witnesses, co-operation with trial, and furnishing mobile number and Aadhar Card copy with undertaking not to change the mobile number during trial.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, accused under Sections 20(b)(ii) (B) of the NDPS Act in Jaldega (Bansjor OP) P.S. Case No. 18/2026 for alleged illegal transportation of 7.862 kg of Ganja (intermediate quantity), should be admitted to bail.

Ratio / Principle

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

Key takeaways

Release on bail was directed subject to conditions: the petitioner shall not annoy or disturb the informant or other witnesses during trial, shall co-operate with the trial, and shall furnish his mobile phone number and photocopy of Aadhar Card with an undertaking not to change the mobile number during trial.ratio¶13

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

NDPS Act — Bail granted. Lav Pandey, accused in Jaldega (Bansjor OP) P.S. Case No. 18/2026 registered under Sections 20(b)(ii) (B) of the NDPS Act for alleged illegal transportation of 7.862 kg of Ganja (intermediate quantity), and in jail custody since 22.03.2026, was released on bail notwithstanding opposition by the learned Spl. P.P. Bail was ordered 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 (NDPS), Simdega, on conditions that the petitioner shall not annoy or disturb the informant or other witnesses, shall co-operate with the trial, and shall furnish his mobile phone number and photocopy of Aadhar Card with an undertaking not to change the mobile number during trial. (Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.)

[ 2026:JHHC:16902 ] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 5125 of 2026

Lav Pandey aged about 40 Years S/O Rajbansh Pandey, Resident of Village: Malhar Kala, Post Office & Police Station: Chinari, District: Rohtas (Bihar). … Petitioner

Versus

The State of Jharkhand … Opp. Party

Coram: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY

For the Petitioner : Mr. K.S. Nanda, Adv. For the State : Mr. Bhola Nath Ojha, Spl. PP

02 / 11.06.2026

Heard the parties.

The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Jaldega (Bansjor OP) P.S. Case No. 18/2026, registered for the offence under Sections 20(b)(ii) (B) of NDPS Act.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was involved in illegal transportation of 7.862 kg. of Ganja which comes under intermediate quantity. It is submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is false. It is next submitted that the petitioner has been in jail custody since 22.03.2026, as mentioned in para 1 of this bail application. It is next submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is ready and willing to co-operate with the trial of the case and undertakes not to annoy or disturb the informant or the other witness of the case in any manner during trial of the case, hence, the petitioner may be admitted to bail.

Learned Spl. P.P. opposed the prayer for 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 (NDPS), Simdega in connection with Jaldega (Bansjor OP) P.S. Case No. 18/2026, with the condition that the petitioner will not annoy or disturb the informant or the other witness of the case in any manner during trial of the case and 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 11.06.2026 Smita/-