MCRC/8907/2026 of Imran Khan @ Dadu Vs State of Chhattisgarh on 13 October 2026

1) This is the first bail application filed under under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.144 of 2026 registered at Police Station City Kotwali Gariyaband, District Gariyaband, Chhattisgarh for the offence punishable under Section NIRMALA RAO

20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

2) The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the police of Police Station City Kotwali Gariyaband, District Gariyaband, Chhattisgarh, received secret information from an informant and, acting on the said information, conducted a raid and seized 2.090 kg of contraband ganja from the joint possession of the applicant and co-accused Ravi Shastri. Thereafter, the aforesaid offence was registered against the applicant.

3) Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the applicant has one criminal antecedent of a similar nature, registered in the year 2025, wherein a small quantity of a prohibited drug was recovered from his possession. He would further contend that, in the present case, 2.090 kg of ganja was recovered from the joint possession of the applicant and the co-accused. He would submit that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant has been in jail since 23.6.2026, the co-accused has already been granted bail by the learned trial Court, and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time. He would, therefore, pray for grant of regular bail to the applicant.

4. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the State/non- applicant would oppose the bail application and submit that the applicant has two criminal antecedents, one of which is an ishtgasha and another is a criminal case registered under the NDPS Act. She would, therefore, submit that the bail application deserves to be dismissed.

5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary.

6. Having considered the fact that the applicant has one criminal antecedent registered in the year 2025 under the NDPS Act, wherein a small quantity of a prohibited drug was recovered from the joint possession of the applicant and the co-accused, and that, in the present case, the charge-sheet has already been filed, the applicant has been in jail since 23.6.2026, and the conclusion of the trial may take some time, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in the present case.

7. Accordingly, the bail application filed by the applicant is allowed. It is directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 50,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) he shall make himself available for interrogation by the police officer as and when required; (b) he 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 from disclosing such fact to the Court; and

(c) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to a fair and expeditious trial. The observation made hereinabove is for the purpose of deciding this bail application only, the learned trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits. Sd/- (Rakesh Mohan Pandey) Judge Nimmi