SANDEEP KESHARWANI vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

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CGHC010327602026 2026:CGHC:38594
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
MCRC No. 8037 of 2026
1. Sandeep Kesharwani S/o Suresh Prasad Kesharwani Aged About 26
Years R/o Village Pahadi, Near Bus Stand, Police Station Pahadi,
District Chitrakoot (Karwi), Uttar Pradesh
2. Chandrika Uraon D/o Labho Uraon Aged About 24 Years R/o Medimeda,
Police Station Jutmil, District Raigarh, Chhattisgarh
... Applicants
versus
State of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Thana Urla,
District Raipur (C.G.)
... Non-applicant
Digitally
signed by
ABHISHEK
SHRIVAS
Date:
2026.09.01
16:09:56
+0530
For Applicants : Mr. Bhupendra Singh, Advocate.
ABHISHEK
SHRIVAS
For Non-Applicant(s) : Mr. Shailendra Sharma, Panel Lawyer.
Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
Order on Board
01.09.2026
1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicants
who have been arrested in connection with Crime No. 38/26 registered at
Police Station - Urla, District - Raipur (C.G.), for the offence punishable
under Sections 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act, 1985.
2. As per the prosecution case, on 08.02.2026, the police authorities of
Police Station Urla, District Raipur, allegedly received secret information

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regarding the transportation of a narcotic substance. Acting upon the
aforesaid information, the police party proceeded towards the place
indicated in the information and allegedly intercepted the accused
persons. According to the prosecution, during the aforesaid proceedings,
the police apprehended the applicants along with the other co-accused
persons and conducted the alleged search and seizure proceedings in
accordance with the procedure adopted by the investigating agency. As
per the allegations contained in the F.I.R., different quantities of alleged
Ganja were recovered from different accused persons. The prosecution
has attributed an alleged recovery of 5.014 kilograms of Ganja to
Applicant No. 1, Sandeep Kesharwani, allegedly from a separate blue-
black coloured bag/backpack. Similarly, an alleged recovery of
approximately 5.082 kilograms of Ganja has been attributed to Applicant
No. 2, Chandrika Uraon, allegedly from a separate bag. Thus, even
according to the prosecution, the alleged recoveries attributed to the two
applicants are distinct and separate. The prosecution has further alleged
the recovery of different quantities of Ganja from the other co-accused
persons and, by aggregating all such alleged recoveries, has shown the
total quantity seized in the entire incident to be approximately 40.446
kilograms. On the basis of the aforesaid alleged seizure, the police
registered Crime No. 38/2026 at Police Station Urla, District Raipur, for
the offence punishable under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the applicants were arrested in
connection therewith.
3. Learned counsel for the applicants would submit that the applicants have
been falsely implicated in this case. He submits that the alleged
recoveries attributed to the applicants are separate and distinct, 5.014
kilograms from Applicant No. 1, Sandeep Kesharwani, and

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approximately 5.082 kilograms from Applicant No. 2, Chandrika Uraon.
He submits that the alleged recoveries made from the applicants cannot
be mechanically clubbed with the recoveries allegedly made from the
other co-accused persons in the absence of cogent material
demonstrating their conscious and joint possession of the entire quantity.
He also submits that the applicants are young, aged approximately 26
years and 24 years, respectively, and that their continued incarceration
for an indefinite period, particularly before the conclusion of the trial,
would cause serious prejudice to their personal liberty and future
prospects. He submits that the learned trial Court has principally relied
upon the aggregate quantity of 40.446 kilograms allegedly seized from all
the accused persons, without properly appreciating the individual role
and the alleged recovery attributed to each applicant. He also submits
that the present applicants have no criminal antecedents and they are in
jail since 08.02.2026, conclusion of the trial may take quite long time.
Accordingly, he prays for enlarging the applicants on regular bail.
4. Learned counsel appearing for the State/non-applicant opposes the bail
application and submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed
before the competent Court. He submits that, on 08.02.2026, acting on
secret information regarding transportation and sale of Ganja, the police
conducted a raid near Nauwa Talab, Bendri Road, and apprehended the
applicant No. 1 Sandeep Kesharwani and co-accused - Rajesh Yadav,
from whose possession a total of 15.223 kg of Ganja was allegedly
recovered. Thereafter, on the basis of their memorandum statements, a
further raid was conducted at the rented premises of co-accused
Bhushan Sahu at Rajendra Nagar, Urla, where additional quantities of
Ganja were allegedly recovered, including from the applicant No. 2,
Chandrika Uraon, bringing the total quantity seized to 40.446 kg. He

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further submits that the allegations indicate the applicant's involvement in
an organized activity relating to the illegal transportation and sale of
Ganja. Accordingly, the applicants are not entitled to the benefit of bail.
5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the
case diary.
6. Considering the nature and gravity of the allegations, the total quantity of
40.446 kg of Ganja allegedly seized in the present case, including the
recovery allegedly made from the possession of the applicants, and the
allegations indicating their involvement in an organized criminal activity,
therefore, this Court is of the considered view, that the applicants in the
present case are not entitled for grant of bail.
7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicants - Sandeep
Kesharwani and Chandrika Uraon involved in Crime No. 38/26
registered at Police Station - Urla, District - Raipur (C.G.), for the offence
punishable under Sections 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act, 1985, is rejected.
8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and
conclude the trial expeditiously.
9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court
concerned for necessary information and compliance.
- Sd/-
(Ramesh Sinha)
Chief Justice
Abhishek