Sri. Shankaranayak v. the State of Karnataka
NDPS Act – Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B), 29 – Regular bail
Case brief
What is this about?
HC-KAR Bengaluru; NC: 2026:KHC:6135; CRL.P No. 17054 of 2025 (439(Cr.PC)/483(BNSS)); decided 03.02.2026 by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar. Regular bail refused to accused No. 2 (Shankaranayak S/o Papanika) in Crime No. 295/2025, Nyamathi Police Station, Davanagere, for offences under Ss. 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B), 29 NDPS Act, 1985. Five persons found packing ganja in plastic covers in an isolated forest area; ganja and a bike seized under mahazar; quantity recorded as more than small and less than commercial quantity; offence punishable up to 10 years; petitioner had criminal antecedents (Crime No. 124/2023, Vinobanagar Police Station, Shivamogga, NDPS Act); investigation in progress; no grounds made out; petition dismissed. Respondent No. 2 (PSI Ravi N.S.) deleted vide order dated 03.02.2026. Counsel: Gopal for petitioner; Harish Ganapathy, HCGP for State.
What did the court decide?
Petitioner (accused No. 2) has not made out any grounds for grant of regular bail; the Court considered his criminal antecedents, the nature of the allegations and the stage of investigation (investigation in progress).