CRLP/2518/2026 of Laxman Khora Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 1 April 2026

ORDER:

This Criminal Petition, under Sections 480 and 483 of the BNSS, has been filed by the Petitioners herein/Accused Nos.3 to 5, seeking regular bail, Crime No.56 of 2026, of Pendurthy Police Station, registered for the offences punishable under Section 20 (b)(ii)(B), read with 8(c) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (for short “NDPS Act”). The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 03.02.2026, while the police conducting vehicle checking, found the accused in possession of 3 Kgs of Ganja. They have apprehended the A1 to A6 on the spot and seized the contraband under the cover of mediators’ report. During the course of investigation, the police have unearthed the role of the other accused. in

2. Heard Sri Dasari Ramakoteswar Rao, learned counsel for the petitioners/accused Nos.3 to 5 and Mrs.K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor on behalf of the State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners have been falsely implicated in this crime and that they are in no way connected with the commission of the offence. The Petitioners have been in judicial custody since 03.02.2026. The contraband involved in the present crime is 3 Kgs of Ganja, which is a non-commercial quantity. It is further submitted that the statutory period is going to be completed and no report has been filed before the Trial Court till date. Learned counsel further submits that the petitioners undertake to strictly adhere to any conditions that may be imposed by this Hon’ble Court.

4. Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor on behalf of the State vehemently opposed the petition and contended that the investigation is still pending and the contraband involved in the pre^tit^case is 3 Kgs of Ganja. She would further submit that no report was filed before the learned Court below by the

5. learned Public Prosecutor concerned seeking for extension period of judicial custody of the petitioners by indjcating the progress of investigation and the specific reasons for the detention of the accused beyond the initial period.

6. Considering the submissions and upon keen perusal of the material placed on record and in the light of the facts and circumstances of the case, that the petitioners have been in judicial custody since 03.02,2026. the fact that the contraband involved in the present crime is only 3 Kgs of Ganja, that the statutory period is going to be completed and no report has been filed before the Court, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioners on bail \A/ith the follo\A/ing conditions: The petitioners/accused Nos.3 to shall execute personal bonds for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) each with two sureties for a like sum each, to the satisfaction of the learned VII Additional Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Visakhapatnam. The petitioners/accused Nos.3 to shall appear before the Investigating Officer as and when required and shall cooperate with further investigation, if any. The petitioners/accused Nos.3 to 5 shall not directly or indirectly tamper with evidence nor influence, intimidate, or induce any prosecution witness. The petitioners/accused Nos.3 to shall appear before the Station Flouse Officer, concerned, once in a week i.e., on every Saturday between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. till filing of charge sheet. I ne petitioners/accused Nos.3 lo 5 shall not commit or indulge in commission of any offence in future. I. II. IV. V.

Vi. The petitioners/accused Nos.3 to shall surrender their passport, if any, to the concerned Court. If they claims that they do not have a passport, they shall submit an affidavit to that effect to the concerned Court.

7. In the event of violation of any of the above conditions, the prosecution shall be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail.

8. It is also made clear that the observations made in this order are only for the purpose of deciding the bail afDplication and they shall not be construed opinion on the merits of the Crime. as

9. Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed. As a sequel thereto, the miscellaneous applications, if any, pending this Criminal Petition shall stand closed. in SDl- T. SRINIVASA RAO ^ ASSISTANT REGISTRAR //TRUE COPY// For SECTION OFFICER To

1. The VII Additional Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Visakhapatnam The Superintendent, Central Prison, Visakhapatnam The Station House officer, Pendurthi Police Station, Visakhapatnam One CC to SRI. DASARI RAMAKOTESWAR RAO Advocate [OPUC] Two CCs to PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, High Court of A.P[OUT] One spare copy

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6. HIGH COURT DR.VJP.J DATED:02/04/2026 BAIL ORDER CRLP.No.2518 of 2026 ALLOWED