Ravikant Singh Rajput v. State of Chhattisgarh

: Mr. Rajendra Patel, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Soumya Sharma, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board

10.12.2025

The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 358/2025, registered at Police Station - Kotwali, District - Rajnandgaon (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 21(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985.

As per the case of the prosecution, on 13.07.2025 the police of Police Station Kotwali received secret information that co-accused Neel Gidwani was involved in selling contraband substances near the Railway Station. PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI 11:18:02 +0530 2 Based on this information, the police raided the spot and arrested co-accused Neel Gidwani while he was carrying contraband articles. A total of 199 tablets were seized from the possession of the present applicant. During the further investigation, the memorandum statements of the present applicant as well as other accused persons were recorded, through which the involvement of the present applicant in the case was revealed. Accordingly, an offence under Section 21(B) of the NDPS Act was registered against the present applicant.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that no contraband article was seized from the possession of the present applicant, the seizure was made from the co-accused, and the quantity seized is of an intermediate category. He further submits that the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents and has been in jail since

13.07.2025. The charge-sheet has already been filed, and the trial is likely to take a considerable amount of time. Therefore, he prays for the grant of regular bail to the applicant.

On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the bail application. She submits that the quantity of the contraband seized from the co-accused is of an intermediate category. The charge-sheet has been filed in the present case. She further submits that the applicant has one previous criminal antecedent under the Excise Act, hence, he is not entitled to be enlarged on bail. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation made against the applicant and the fact that no contraband article was seized from the possession of the present applicant, the

3 seizure was made from the co-accused, and the quantity seized is of an intermediate category, further the applicant has one previous criminal antecedent under the Excise Act and he is in jail since 13.07.2025, charge-sheet has been filed and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take quite long time, I am inclined to grant bail to the applicant.

Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Preeti Chief Justice S Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha)