CRLP/15950/2026 of Gunji Veladri @ Byragi Vs The State of Telangana on 12 October 2026

ORDER

1. This Criminal Petition is filed under Sections 480 & 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) praying this Court to enlarge the petitioner-A3 on bail in connection with Crime No.139 of 2022 of Laxmidevipally Police Station, Bhadradri-Kothagudem District, registered for the offence punishable under Section 8(c) read with Section 20(b)(ii)(c) of the NDPS Act, 1985.

2. Heard Sri B.Muralidhar, learned counsel for the petitioner-A3 and Sri D. Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent–State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, during the course of investigation, it is revealed that accused Nos.1 and 2 allegedly confessed to having committed the offence along with the petitioner-A3. The confessional statements made before the Investigating Officer has no evidentiary value. The police have completed a material part of the investigation and the charge sheet has been filed against accused Nos.1 and 2 and numbered as NDPS S.C.No.249 of 2022. Petitioner-A3 is arrested on 28.02.2026 and has been in judicial custody since then. Entire investigation is completed, prayed to enlarge the petitioner-A3 on bail.

4. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor submits that accused Nos.1 and 2 were arrested on 29.10.2022 and charge sheet was filed against them, which was numbered as NDPS S.C. No.249 of 2022. In the said charge sheet, accused No.3 was shown as absconding.

5. Petitioner-A3 is arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 28.02.2026 and has been in judicial custody since then. The remand case diary reveals that accused No.4- Laxman, the pillion rider of the motorcycle, is absconding. Respondent has altogether examined 15 witnesses in support of its case. A supplementary charge sheet has to be filed against the petitioner-A3 in NDPS S.C. No.249 of 2022.

6. Contraband is seized from the possession of accused Nos.1 and 2 weighed 184.900 kilograms of Ganja worth Rs.9,00,000/- and the seizure was effected in the presence of mediators.

7. Record goes to show that major portion of the investigation is completed, detaining the petitioner-A3 further in judicial custody will not serve the purpose. Hence, petitioner-A3 is entitled to be enlarged on bail, subject to the following conditions: i. The petitioner-A3 shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty Five thousand only), with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the

III Additional Judicial Magistrate of First Class at Kothagudem. ii. The petitioner-A3 shall appear before the concerned SHO between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on every Sunday for a period of Eight (8) weeks or till filing of charge sheet whichever is earlier, for the purpose of investigation, and thereafter, as and when required. iii. The petitioner-A1 shall abide by the conditions stipulated in Section 437(3) of Cr.P.C.(presently, Section 480(3) of the BNSS). iv. The petitioner-A3 shall not directly or indirectly influence, threaten, or induce any of the prosecution witnesses. v. Petitioner-A3 shall not involve in any similar offences. vi. It is made clear that if any of the conditions imposed by this Court are violated, the prosecution is at liberty to file an application for cancellation of the bail.

8. Accordingly, the Criminal petition is allowed.

Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed. __________________________ B.R.MADHUSUDHAN RAO, J Date: 12.10.2026 ssm