CRLP/7679/2026 of Sankina Narasimha Murthy Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 14 October 2026

ORDER:

Criminal Petition has been filed under Sections 480 and 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for brevity ‘the BNSS’), seeking to enlarge the Petitioner/Accused No.6 on bail in Crime No.59 of 2023 of Anandapuram Police Station, Visakhapatnam Commissionerate, registered for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 20(b)(ii)(C) read with 8(c) of

the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for brevity ‘the NDPS Act’).

2. Mr. Gollapalli Maheswara Rao, the learned Counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Petitioner is innocent of the alleged offence. He has been falsely implicated by the police. It is further submitted that the Petitioner is the sole earning member of the family and, therefore, his incarceration would cause undue hardship to his dependents. He is a law-abiding citizen. The Petitioner undertakes to strictly adhere to any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, it is urged to allow the Petition.

3. Per contra, Mr.A.Sai Rohith, the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor vehemently opposed the grant of bail to the Petitioner and submitted that, though the Charge Sheet has already been filed, the accusations against the Petitioner are well founded. Hence, urged to dismiss the Criminal Petition.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner and the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor. Perused the record.

5. As seen from the record, the Petitioner is arraigned as Accused No.6 in this case. The Petitioner allegedly assisted the main accused in shifting the contraband, and his role came to light based on the confession of the co- accused. The total quantity of contraband involved is 1,000 kgs. The Petitioner was arrested on 08.06.2026 pursuant to the execution of a P.T. warrant. He has been in the judicial custody for the past 129 days. The alleged offence took place on 23.05.2023. After thorough investigation, the Charge Sheet was

filed and numbered as N.S.C.No.159 of 2024 on the file of the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court for NDPS Cases, Visakhapatnam. The Petitioner is a permanent resident of Anakapalli District. He has got fixed abode. If the Petitioner is enlarged on bail, he would cooperate with the learned Trial Court for the expeditious disposal of the case.

6. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the Petitioner/Accused No.6, this Court is inclined to enlarge the Petitioner on bail, subject to certain stringent conditions.

7. In the result, the Criminal Petition is allowed with the following stringent conditions:

i. The Petitioner/Accused No.6 shall be enlarged on bail subject to his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs only) with two sureties for the like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned I Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum- Special Court for NDPS Cases, Visakhapatnam.

ii. The Petitioner/Accused No.6 shall appear before the learned Trial Court on each and every adjournment without fail.

iii. The Petitioner/Accused No.6 shall not commit or indulge in commission of any offence in future.

iv. The Petitioner/Accused No.6 shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/her from disclosing such facts to the Court. v. The Petitioner/Accused No.6 shall surrender his passport, if any, to the Investigating Officer. If he claims that he does not have passport, he shall submit an affidavit to that effect to the Investigating Officer.

vi. The Petitioner/Accused No.6 shall furnish his permanent and temporary address details to the Investigating Officer/Station House Officer concerned.

vii. The Petitioner/Accused No.6 shall not leave the jurisdiction of the learned Trial Court without obtaining the express permission of the learned Trial Court.

_________________________ DR. Y. LAKSHMANA RAO, J Date: 15.10.2026 PRA

THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE Y. LAKSHMANA RAO

CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 7679 of 2026

Date: 15.10.2026

PRA