Alok Kumar Verma,J
1. The applicant-Sajid Ali is in judicial custody for the offence punishable under Section 8 read with Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (in short, “Act, 1985”) in Case Crime No.1001 of 2025, registered at Kotwali Laksar, District Haridwar.
2. According to the First Information Report dated 12.10.2025, on 11.10.2025, the police apprehended the applicant on suspicion. He was searched. The police recovered 270 Tablets of Alprazolam from his possession. The total weight of the recovered tables was 51.3 gms. The applicant was arrested at 21:40 O’Clock.
3. Heard Mr. Gaurav Singh, learned counsel for the applicant and Mr. Pradeep Lohani, learned Brief Holder for the respondent.
4. Mr. Gaurav Singh, Advocate, contended that the applicant is an innocent person. He has been falsely implicated by the police. The alleged tables of alprazolam were not recovered from his possession. There was no independent witness at the time of the alleged recovery. This fact also supports the submission of the applicant. Applicant has no criminal antecedents. He is a permanent resident of District Haridwar, therefore, there is no possibility of his absconding, and, the alleged recovered alprazolam does not fall under the category of commercial quantity.
5. Mr. Pradeep Lohani, Brief Holder has opposed the bail application orally. However, he submitted on instructions that the applicant has no criminal antecedents.
6. As per Table prepared under Section 2 (xxiii-a) and Section 2 (vii-a) of the said Act, 1985, lesser than 5 gm of alprazolam is small quantity and greater than 100 gm of alprazolam is commercial quantity (Entry No.178).
7. The object of keeping the accused in detention during the investigation is not punishment. The main purpose is manifestly to secure the attendance of the accused. There is nothing on record to indicate that the applicant had earlier been involved in any unacceptable activities.
8. Having considered the submissions of learned counsel for both the parties and in the facts and circumstances of the case, without expressing any opinion as to the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant deserves bail at this stage.
9. The Bail Application is allowed.
10. Let the applicant – Sajid Ali be released on bail on his executing a personal bond and furnishing two reliable sureties, each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the court concerned.
