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Madras High CourtCRL OP/400/2026dismissed

Ramakanta Majhi v. State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,

2026-01-30Honourable Mr.Justice K.Rajasekar6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 30-01-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR

1. Ramakanta Majhi S/o.Chaitaan Majhi, Nalkul, Manikula, Nalkul (Post), Manikula Diast, Baleswar, Odisha-756002.

2. Alekha Punji S/o.Sarabesa Punji, Behera, Dalsargi Behera, Kalahandi Behera, Odisha-766103.

..Petitioner(s) Vs State rep.by, The Inspector of Police, PEW Poonamallee Police Station, Chennai.

Cr.No.143 of 2025.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: This petition is field under Section 483 of BNSS to enlarge the petitioner on bail on the file CC.1695/2025 the Honble II Additional Special Court in EC and NDPS Court at Chennai.

For Petitioner(s):

M/s.M. Sarath Kumar P.Hariganesh For Respondent(s):

MR.A. Gopinath, Govt Advocate

ORDER

The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 15.09.2025, for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(c), 29(1) of NDPS Act in Crime No.143 of 2025 registered on the file of the respondent, seeks bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that on15.09.2025 the respondent police received a information that some persons near Poonamalle Bus stand involved in illegal transportation of contraband. Based on that, the police team went to the scene of occurrence. On seeing the police, the petitioners were trying to escape from that place, immediately the police caught hold of them and

conducted enquiry. During the enquiry, they came to know some of the accused belongs to other state and they were found in possession of 21 kgs of ganja. After completing all the mandatory requirements the respondent police seized the contraband and each of the person were carrying 7 kgs of ganja . Hence, the respondent police registered a case against the petitioners.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that only 7 kgs of ganja was recovered from each of the petitioners and they were not in possession of contraband to the extent of 21 kilograms of ganja and seperate mahazars were prepared and the petitioners were arrested and remanded to judicial custody from 15.09.2025. He further submitted that Section 37 of the NDPS Act would not apply to the petitioner. However, the petitioners are ready to abide by any condition imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioners.

4 . The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent while opposing the bail to the petitioners, reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that there is no possibility of separating the quantity seized from all the accused and it is a specific case of the prosecution that each of the accused were conscious about the possession of other accused and all of them have come to the place of occurrence for the purpose of delink the contraband. Hence, the total possession of contraband would be taken into account which is

of commercial quantity and it could not be separated and prays to dismiss the petition.

5. I have gone through the relevant records and it is seen there is no explanation offered by the petitioners as why they have assembled near Poonamalle Bus stand. It is also seen that each person were carrying seperate bags. Since investigation also reveals that each person was aware of the possession of contraband by other accused and it is not a case that they are not aware about the possession of other accused.

6. Considering the submissions made by both sides and the fact that the quantity involved in this case is commercial in nature and the petitioners failed to satisfy the twin conditions stipulated under Section 37 of the NDPS Act, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, this criminal original petition stands dismissed.

30-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SMN

To

1. The Inspector of Police, PEW Poonamallee Police Station, Chennai.

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras

K.RAJASEKAR, J.

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