Satyajit Naik Vs State of Odisha

F.I.R. No.	Dated	Police Station	Case No. and Courts’ Name	Sections
295	8.03.2022	I.I.C. of Excise, F.I. & E (C.D, Cuttack	Special Case No.55 of 2022 pending in the court of learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum- Special Judge, Jaleswar	Sections 20(b)(ii)(C) the NDPS 1985	of Act,

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This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.

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Heard learned counsel for the Parties.

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Signature Not Verified

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The Petitioner being in custody in P.R. No.295 of 2022,

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corresponding to Special Case No.55 of 2022 pending in the

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Digitally Signed Signed by: LITARAM MURMU Designation: P.A. Reason: Authentication Location: OHC Date: 13-May-2026 18:10:50

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court of learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum- Special Judge, Jaleswar, registered for the alleged commission of offences under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the NDPS Act, has filed this petition for his release on bail.

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The brief fact of the case is that on 08.03.2022 at about 4. AM while the informant, the Inspector of Excise, EI & EB Unit II, Cuttack along with his staff was performing patrolling duty on NH 60 between Laxmannath toll gate to Basta road, a white Maruti car being driven by a driver speedily overtook them for which on suspicion, they chased that vehicle and seeing them in Khaki dress, speed of the car got accelerated and finally just 500 meters ahead of them, the said car stopped. On being searched, they could not find any person in that car, but found two sacks of ganja weighing 61 kg kept in the middle seat of the car, which they adopted due procedure seized and accordingly PR was lodged. Hence, this case.

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Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Petitioner had no knowledge regarding transportation of contraband ganja. He further contends that nothing has been seized from the conscious possession of the present Petitioner. He further submits that the Petitioner is in custody since 24.02.2026. Hence, he submits that, the prayer of the present Petitioner may be allowed.

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Signature Not Verified

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Digitally Signed Signed by: LITARAM MURMU Designation: P.A. Reason: Authentication Location: OHC Date: 13-May-2026 18:10:50

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Learned counsel for the State vehemently opposes the prayer for bail stating that the quantity of ganja seized is clearly above the commercial quantity prescribed under the Act which bars granting of bail.

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Without going into the merit of the case and based on the facts and circumstances of the case, it is directed that the Petitioner be released on bail in the aforesaid case with some stringent terms and conditions as deemed just and proper by the learned court in seisin over the matter with further conditions that:-

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i. The Petitioner shall appear before the local Police Station on every alternate Sunday between 10.00 A.M. to 12.00 P.M. till conclusion of the trial.;

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