K.Sreenivasa Reddy, J
1. This Criminal Petition, under Sections 480 and 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, has been filed by the petitioners/A3 and A4, seeking regular bail in Crime No.92 of 2024 of S. Kota Police Station, Vizianagaram district.
2. A case has been registered against the petitioners herein and others for the offence punishable under Section 8(c) read with 20(b)(ii)(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short ‘the NDPS Act’).
3. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that, on 06.04.2024, at about 6.30 hours, on credible information, the Sub-Inspector of Police, S. Kota Police Station, along with his staff and mediators, rushed to Pandirappanna junction and while conducting vehicle checking, found A2 to A4 in possession and illegal transportation of 200 Kgs of Ganja in a Bolero Goods Vehicle bearing registration No.RJ 09 GE 0080 coming from Araku side. The contraband, along with vehicle and other material, was seized under cover of a mediators report and a case was registered against the accused.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners herein/A3 and A4 were arrested on 06.04.2024 and they are languishing in the jail for more than 180 days. The entire investigation is over except filing of charge sheet.
5. The learned Assistant Public Prosecutor, while opposing the bail petition, concurred with the fact that the petitioners were arrested on 06.04.2024 and since then they are in jail.
6. Heard. Perused the record.
7. The entire investigation is completed except filing of charge sheet. Petitioners were arrested on 06.04.2024 and since then they are in jail. Statutory period of 180 days has completed.
8. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, the petitioners can be released on bail.
9. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed. The petitioners/A3 and A4 shall be released on bail on their executing personal bonds for Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) each with two sureties of the like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class, S. Kota. On such release, the petitioners/A3 and A4 shall appear before the Station House Officer concerned once in a week i.e., on every Sunday between 10.00 AM and 5.00 PM till filing of the charge sheet.
