Completed investigation, no criminal antecedents, and likely trial delay justified bail for non-commercial ganja possession.

The applicant was arrested on 13 July 2026 in connection with Crime No. 78/2026, registered at Police Station Raghunathnagar under Section 20(B) of the NDPS Act.

The prosecution alleged that 2.224 kg of ganja was found in his possession near Kesari Chowk and was intended for sale.

The applicant denied the allegation, asserted that no contraband had been seized from his exclusive possession, and submitted that he had no criminal antecedents and had been in custody since his arrest.

The charge-sheet had been filed.

The State opposed bail, asserting that the contraband had been seized from the applicant, but did not dispute the absence of other criminal antecedents.

Whether the applicant should be granted regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in the circumstances of the case.

The application was made under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which the Court invoked as the basis for considering regular bail.

The alleged offence was under Section 20(B) of the NDPS Act.

In deciding bail, the Court considered the nature of the allegations, the applicant’s lack of criminal antecedents, the period of custody, completion of the investigation and filing of the charge-sheet, and the expected time for trial.

The Court considered the alleged recovery alongside the applicant’s asserted lack of antecedents, which the State did not dispute.

It also noted that the applicant had been in custody for more than two and a half months, the charge-sheet had been filed, and the trial would take considerable time to conclude.

On those grounds, and without expressing any opinion on the merits, the Court found bail appropriate.

Release is subject to conditions concerning adjournments, attendance at trial, compliance if a proclamation is issued, and personal appearance on specified trial dates.

A certified copy was directed to be sent to the trial court.