CRLP/9849/2026 of Mahesh Ravindra Vhatkar, Vs The State of Telanagana on 10 July 2026

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed praying this Court to enlarge the petitioners on bail who are arrayed as accused Nos.2 and 3 in Crime No.52 of 2026 registered for the offence punishable under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(c) of NDPS Act.

2. The brief facts of the case are that on 11.01.2026, acting upon credible information received regarding transportation of dry ganja, the police intercepted a Bharat Benz goods vehicle bearing No. MH-13/AX-3771 and a Hyundai i20 car bearing No. MH-13/CS-6756 near Muthangi Toll Plaza, Patancheru. During the search, the police allegedly recovered 92 kilograms of dry ganja concealed beneath palm- leaf mats in the Bharat Benz vehicle driven by accused No.1. It is alleged that accused Nos.2 and 3 were travelling in the Hyundai i20 car and were piloting the contraband vehicle. Though no contraband was recovered from their possession or from the i20 car, they were arrested on the allegation that they were acting in concert with accused No.1 in transporting the contraband. The police seized the contraband, both the vehicles, mobile phones and certain cash amounts from the accused, registered the present crime and remanded the petitioners to judicial custody.

3. Heard Sri M. Amarnath, learned counsel for the petitioners, and Sri D. Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, appearing for respondent No.1–State.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. He contended that no contraband was recovered either from the physical possession of the petitioners or from the Hyundai i20 car in which they were travelling and that the entire recovery of 92 kilograms of ganja was effected only from the Bharat Benz vehicle driven by accused No.1. It is further submitted that the petitioners have been implicated merely on the allegation that they were piloting the vehicle transporting the contraband, without any material to establish conscious possession or active participation in the alleged offence. Learned counsel further submitted that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents, are permanent residents of Maharashtra and have been in judicial custody since 12.01.2026. It is also submitted that despite lapse of considerable time, the investigation has substantially progressed and the charge sheet has not yet been filed. Therefore, further detention of the petitioners is unwarranted. Therefore, he prayed to enlarge the petitioners on bail.

5. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for respondent No.1–State opposed the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioners and contended that the petitioners were apprehended along with accused No.1 while transporting a commercial quantity of ganja and that the material collected during the investigation prima facie establishes their involvement in the offence. He submitted that the petitioners were acting as escorts to the vehicle carrying the contraband and were part of the illegal transportation of 92 kilograms of dry ganja. It is further contended that the investigation is still in progress and that if the petitioners are released on bail at this stage, there is every possibility of their absconding, tampering with the prosecution evidence or influencing the witnesses. Therefore, he prayed for dismissal of the petition.

6. Having regard to the rival submissions made, and on perusing the material placed on record, it is noted that the petitioners are in jail from 12.01.2026 and till date chargesheet is not filed. That apart, there are no other previous cases registered against these petitioners. Therefore, this Court is of the opinion that it is a fit case to grant bail to the petitioners, subject to the compliance of following conditions:

i. The petitioners shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- each, (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties for a like sum each, to the satisfaction of the JFCM at Sangareddy.

ii. The petitioners shall appear before the concerned SHO at 11:00 a.m. on every Monday 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 petitioners shall abide by the conditions stipulated in Section 437(3) of Cr.P.C. (presently Section 480(3) of the BNSS).

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed.

Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed. _______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 10.07.2026 PT

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA

CRIMINAL PETITION No.9849 of 2026

Date: 10.07.2026 PT