Sasank Sasikumar Vs State of Odisha — Narcotics (NDPS) | Orissa HC (2025)

Sasank Sasikumar Vs State of Odisha — Narcotics (NDPS) | Orissa HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Petitioner directed to be released on bail in connection with Nandapur P.S. Case No.76 of 2025 corresponding to T.R. Case No.85 of 2025, subject to furnishing a bail bond of Rs.40,000/- with one solvent surety for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Koraput; trial court free to impose other suitable conditions; release conditional upon verification and absence of criminal antecedent of similar nature.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, arraigned in Nandapur P.S. Case No.76 of 2025 corresponding to T.R. Case No.85 of 2025 involving recovery and seizure of 27 kg. of contraband Ganja of commercial quantity, should be released on bail under Section 483 BNSS despite the Section 37 NDPS Act bar urged by the State.

Court's answer

On a reading of the chargesheet, the seizure has been shown against the petitioner and is of commercial quantity of Ganja (the recovery and seizure relating to 27 kg. of contraband Ganja).

Ratio / Principle

Notwithstanding the commercial-quantity seizure, the Court, recording that the petitioner has no other antecedent and is a first-time offender, was inclined to release him on bail subject to conditions.

Key takeaways

The petition under Section 483 BNSS stands allowed: the petitioner is directed to be released on bail in connection with Nandapur P.S. Case No.76 of 2025 / T.R. Case No.85 of 2025 on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.40,000/- with one solvent surety for the like amount, the learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Koraput being at liberty to impose other suitable conditions, and release being subject to verification and absence of criminal antecedent of similar nature.ratio¶21

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, BLAPL No.12414 of 2025 (order dated 17.12.2025, R.K. Pattanaik, J.): Bail application under S.483 BNSS by Sasank Sasikumar, arraigned in Nandapur P.S. Case No.76 of 2025 corresponding to T.R. Case No.85 of 2025 pending before the learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Koraput. Chargesheet filed 05.12.2025 showed recovery and seizure of 27 kg. of contraband Ganja, of commercial quantity, against the petitioner; the State resisted bail invoking the S.37 NDPS Act bar. The Court, recording that the petitioner has no other criminal antecedent and is a first-time offender, allowed the petition: release on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.40,000/- with one solvent surety for the like amount, the trial court being at liberty to impose further suitable conditions, and release made subject to verification and absence of criminal antecedent of similar nature.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

BLAPL No.12414 of 2025

Sasank Sasikumar

…. Petitioner

Mr. M. Nandy, Advocate

-Versus-

State of Odisha

…. Opposite Party

Ms. B. Dash, ASC

CORAM:

MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK

ORDER

17.12.2025

Order No.

Heard Mr.Nandy, learned counsel for the petitioner and Ms. Dash, learned ASC for the State.

Instant petition under Section 483 BNSS is filed for release of the petitioner on bail in connection with Nandapur P.S. Case No.76 of 2025 corresponding to T.R. Case No.85 of 2025 pending in the file of learned Additional Sessions Judgecum-Special Judge, Koraput on the grounds stated therein.

A copy of the chargesheet is produced in Court and the same is perused. The chargesheet has been filed on 5^th December, 2025. The recovery and seizure relate to 27 kg. of contraband Ganja. It is claimed that the petitioner does not have any criminal antecedent, hence, he should be allowed to go on bail subject to conditions. Ms. Dash, learned ASC for the State

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objects to the release of the petitioner on bail, according to whom, Section 37 of the NDPS Act is a bar and the recovery and seizure is of commercial quantity of Ganja. On a reading of the chargesheet, it reveals that such seizure has been shown against the petitioner and the same is of commercial quantity of Ganja. Considering the above facts, recording the submission that the petitioner has no other antecedent and a first-time offender, this Court is inclined to release him on bail subject to following conditions and hence, it is ordered.

In the result, petition under Section 483 BNSS stands allowed. Consequently, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail in connection with Nandapur P.S. Case No.76 of 2025 corresponding to T.R. Case No.85 of 2025 subject to him furnishing a bail bond of Rs.40,000/-(Rupees forty thousand) with one solvent surety for the like amount to the satisfaction of learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Koraput, who shall be at liberty to impose such other suitable conditions as deemed just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. The Court further directs that such release of the petitioner shall be upon verification and absence of criminal antecedent of similar nature.

5. BLAPL stands disposed of.

Issue urgent certified copy as per rules.

Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: ALOK RANJAN SETHY (R.K. Pattanaik) Reason: Authentication Location: ORISSA HIGH COURT Judge Date: 18-Dec-2025 10:27:27Alok

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