CRLP/15948/2026 of Tapan Mandal Vs The State of Telangana on 8 October 2026

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed under Sections 480 and 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) praying this Court to enlarge the petitioner, who is arrayed as accused No.1, on bail in connection with FIR No.177 of 2026 of Tekulapalli Police Station, Bhadradri Kothagudem, registered for the offences punishable under Section 8(c) read with 20(b)(ii)(B) of the of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short, ‘NDPS Act’).

2. Heard Sri B.Muralidhar, learned counsel for the petitioner- accused No.1 and Sri D. Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent–State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner-accused No.1 was falsely implicated in Cr.No.177 of 2026 of Tekulapalli Police Station, for the alleged offences under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act. The prosecution alleges that on 18-08-2026, while the police were conducting vehicle checks near Venkatiya Thanda Village on the road leading to Narsayigudem at about 4:30 p.m., they intercepted the petitioner-accused No.1, who is riding a Scooty. On checking the storage compartment under the seat, the police allegedly found 9.520 kgs of dry ganja and arrested the petitioner-accused No.1 and a confession-cum-seizure panchanama was recorded in the presence of mediators. The petitioner – accused No.1 was thereafter remanded to judicial custody on 18.08.2026 and has been in judicial custody since then.

4. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor submits that inventory in the case is completed.

5. Petitioner – accused No.1 has filed Crl.M.P.No.798 of 2026 in Crime No.177 of 2026 before the learned Sessions Judge for grant of bail and the same came to be dismissed vide order, dated 07.09.2026.

6. Petitioner – accused No.1 was arrested on 18.08.2026 and remanded to judicial custody and contraband which is seized from the possession of the petitioner is only 9.520 Kgs., of dry ganja which is intermediate quantity.

7. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and since the petitioner is in jail since 18.08.2026 and as major portion of the investigation is completed, detaining the petitioner-accused No.1 further in judicial custody will not serve any purpose. Accordingly, this Court is of the view that the petitioner – accused No.1 is entitled for grant of bail, subject to the following conditions: i. The petitioner – accused No.1 shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class at Yellandu. ii. The petitioner – accused No.1 shall appear before the concerned SHO between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 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 – accused No.1 shall abide by the conditions stipulated in Section 437(3) of Cr.P.C. (presently, Section 480(3) of the BNSS). iv. The petitioner - accused No.1 shall not directly or indirectly influence, threaten, or induce any of the prosecution witnesses. v. In the event of violation of any of the above conditions, the prosecution is at liberty to file an application for cancellation of bail.

8. Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.

__________________________________ VAKITI RAMAKRISHNA REDDY, J

Date: 08.10.2026 pss

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VAKITI RAMAKRISHNA REDDY

CRIMINAL PETITION No.15948 of 2026 (CNR.No. HBHC010670442026) DATE: 08.10.2026

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