A3. Panda Stevehans, v. The State Of Telangana,

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA

AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.8593 of 2026 DATE: 22.06.2026 BETWEEN:

Panda Stevehans .....petitioner/accused No.3 And The State of Telangana, Rep. by Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana, at Hyderabad.

.....Respondent/complainant

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed praying this Court to enlarge the petitioner on bail who is arrayed as accused No.3 in Crime No.990 of 2025 before the Kushaiguda Police Station, Rachakonda Commissionerate, registered for the offence punishable under Sections 8c read with 22c, 27B of NDPS Act.

2.

The brief facts of the case are that on 22.12.2025, based on credible information, the police conducted a raid near a

coffee shop at Sainikpuri and apprehended A1, A3 (petitioner), A4 and A5. It is alleged that A1 and the petitioner came to the spot to sell LSD blots to A4 and A5, and 12 LSD blots weighing 0.2 grams were seized, allegedly from A1. 3.

Heard Sri P. Vikas Raj, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner as well as Sri D. Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent - State.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that no contraband was recovered from the petitioner and the alleged recovery was exclusively from A1. The implication of the petitioner is solely based on an alleged confessional statement, which is inadmissible and subject to proof during trial, and there is no independent material to establish conscious possession or involvement. He further contended that the petitioner is a student, falsely implicated, and his continued detention is adversely affecting his education and future prospects. Therefore, he prayed the Court to grant bail to the petitioner.

5.

On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner stating that the there are serious allegations against the petitioner. Further, the investigation was not yet completed. At this stage, granting of bail to the petitioner does not arise. Therefore, he prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition.

6.

In the light of the submissions made by both the learned counsel and a perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the petitioner is in jail since 22.12.2025 and the material part of the investigation is completed. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, age of the petitioner and the incarceration period of the petitioner, this Court deems it fit to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions: i.

The petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) each, with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the I Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Additional

Family Court Judge, MedchalMalkajgiri District at Kushaiguda.

ii.

The petitioner shall appear before the concerned SHO at 11:00 a.m., on every Monday for a period of eight (8) week or till filing of charge sheet whichever is earlier, for the purpose of investigation, and thereafter, as and when required.

iii.

The petitioner 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: 22.06.2026 PT

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.8593 of 2026 Date: 22.06.2026 PT