Santosh Kumar Sao Vs State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Santosh Kumar Sao Vs State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Petitioner enlarged 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 the learned Principal Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, NDPS Act, Hazaribagh in connection with Korra P.S. Case No.17 of 2026, subject to conditions: co-operation with the trial; furnishing mobile number and photocopy of Aadhar Card with undertaking not to change the mobile number during the trial; and not annoying or disturbing the informant or the witnesses in any manner during the trial.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner should be admitted/enlarged to bail in connection with Korra P.S. Case No.17 of 2026, registered for offences under Section 111(2)(b) and 3(5) of the B.N.S., 2023 and Section 21(b), 22(b), 25 & 29 of the NDPS Act.

Court's answer

Considering the submissions of the counsels and the facts discussed, the Court was inclined to enlarge the above-named petitioner on bail.

Ratio / Principle

The petitioner was directed to be released 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 Principal Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, NDPS Act, Hazaribagh, in connection with Korra P.S. Case No.17 of 2026.

Key takeaways

The grant of bail was made conditional on the petitioner co-operating with the trial of the case and furnishing his mobile number and photocopy of the Aadhar Card with an undertaking that he will not change his mobile number during the trial of the case.ratio¶15
A further condition imposed was that the petitioner will not annoy or disturb the informant or the witnesses of the case in any manner during the trial of the case.ratio¶15

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

BAIL GRANTED — NDPS Act / BNS 2023 offences (High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi) — By Order No.02 dated 18-06-2026 in B.A. No.5390 of 2026 (Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.), Santosh Kumar Sao, accused in Korra P.S. Case No.17 of 2026 registered under Section 111(2)(b) and 3(5) of the B.N.S., 2023 and Section 21(b), 22(b), 25 & 29 of the NDPS Act, was enlarged on bail. Counsel submitted that 111gm of brown sugar-like substance was recovered from the petitioner and 166.5 gm of brown sugar (heroin) from the co-accused, claimed to come under intermediate quantity; the petitioner was alleged to be involved in selling and transportation of brown sugar; he had been in custody since 31.01.2026 and the co-accused had already been granted bail. Bail was granted on a bond of Rs.25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Principal Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, NDPS Act, Hazaribagh, conditioned on: co-operation with the trial; furnishing his mobile number and photocopy of Aadhar Card with an undertaking not to change the mobile number during the trial; and not annoying or disturbing the informant or the witnesses in any manner during the trial.

( 2026:JHHC:17739 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.5390 of 2026

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Santosh Kumar Sao, aged about 36 years, Son of Late Jaglal Saw, Resident of Village & P.O.-Pitiz, P.S.-Itkhori, Dist.-Chatra (Jharkhand).

.... .... …. Petitioner

Versus

The State of Jharkhand .... .... .... Opposite Party

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CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY

------ For the Petitioner : Mr. Shailendra Jit, Advocate For the State : Mr. Bhola Nath Ojha, Spl.P.P

Order No.02 Dated- 18-06-2026

Heard the parties.

The petitioner has moved this Court for grant of bail in connection with Korra P.S. Case No.17 of 2026 registered for the offences punishable under Section 111(2)(b) and 3(5) of the B.N.S., 2023 and Section 21(b), 22(b), 25 & 29 of the NDPS Act.

The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was involved in selling and transportation of brown sugar and from the possession of the petitioner, 111gm of brown sugar like substance was recovered and from the possession of the co-accused, brown sugar which is also known as heroin, total 166.5 gm of brown sugar was seized which comes under intermediate quantity. It is next submitted that the allegations against the petitioner are all false. It is then submitted that the petitioner undertakes to cooperate with the trial of the case and further undertakes that he will not annoy or disturb the informant/victim or the witnesses of the case in any manner during the trial of the case. It is further submitted that the petitioner has no criminal antecedent as has been mentioned in para-16 of this bail application. It is also submitted that the co-accused has already been granted bail. It is lastly submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 31.01.2026 as is evident from para-18 of this bail application. Hence, it is submitted that the petitioner be admitted to bail.

The learned Spl.P.P. opposes the prayer for bail.

Considering the submissions of the counsels and the fact as discussed above, I am inclined to enlarge the above-named petitioner on bail. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed 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 Principal Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, NDPS Act, Hazaribagh in connection with Korra P.S. Case No.17 of 2026 with the condition that the petitioner will co-operate with the trial of the case and will furnish his mobile number and photocopy of the Aadhar Card with an undertaking that he will not change his mobile number during the trial of the case, with further condition that he will not annoy or disturb the informant or the witnesses of the case in any manner during the trial of

the case .

(Anil Kumar Choudhary, J . )

18/06/2026 Abhiraj/