Chhattisgarh High Court

Grant of bail where seized psychotropic substance is less than commercial quantity and no criminal antecedents exist.

SUNIL BEHRA vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

Chhattisgarh High CourtJUDGMENT: April 22, 20262 MIN READSOURCE JUDGMENT
THE ORIGINAL LAWLENS SUMMARY
01

Facts

The applicant was arrested on January 23, 2026, in connection with Crime No. 11/2026

Source reference: para. 1

On January 22, 2026, police intercepted a vehicle and seized 36 strips of Spasmo Proxyvon Plus (288 capsules)

Source reference: para. 2

Out of the total seizure, 6 strips containing 14.4 grams of Tramadol were recovered directly from the applicant, with the remaining 30 strips recovered from a co-accused

Source reference: para. 2, 4

The applicant was charged under Sections 21(C) and 29 of the NDPS Act

Source reference: para. 1

The applicant moved this First Bail Application, contending that the seized amount was less than "commercial quantity," he had no criminal antecedents, and the trial would be prolonged

Source reference: para. 3
02

Issues

1. Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) considering the quantity of the seized psychotropic substance and his period of incarceration.

Source reference: para. 1, 7
03

Law Applied

Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, regarding the High Court's power to grant bail

Source reference: para. 1

Sections 21(C) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which govern the punishment for contravention in relation to manufactured drugs and criminal conspiracy

Source reference: para. 1

Procedural requirements for personal appearance and conduct under Sections 269, 84, 209, and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and BNSS

Source reference: para. 8
04

Reasoning

While the total seizure was 288 capsules, the specific recovery from the applicant was 6 strips amounting to 14.4 grams of the prohibited substance

Source reference: para. 4

As per the Drug Inspector’s Report and the personal affidavit filed by the Director General of Police, this quantity was determined to be less than the "commercial quantity" defined under the NDPS Act

Source reference: para. 5

The Court observed that the charge-sheet had already been filed and that the applicant had been in custody since January 23, 2026

Source reference: para. 7

Given that the applicant had no prior criminal record and the trial was unlikely to conclude in the near future, the Court found the nexus between the facts and the legal requirements for bail favored the applicant’s release

Source reference: para. 7
05

Holding

The Court answered the issue in the affirmative, holding that because the recovered quantity was intermediate (less than commercial) and the investigation was complete, the applicant was entitled to bail

The Court allowed the bail application and ordered the applicant’s release on a personal bond with two sureties

Source reference: para. 8
Chhattisgarh High Court

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SUNIL BEHRAvsSTATE OF CHHATTISGARH

Chhattisgarh High Court · April 22, 2026

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