Yerrakudi Surya Narayana Reddy v. The Intelligence Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 09-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Yerrakudi Surya Narayana Reddy ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Intelligence officer NCB, Chennai.

PIN - 600 053.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail in C.C.No. 516/2024 on the file of Principal Special Judge for EC and NDPS Act, Chennai.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.T.S.Sasi Kumar For Respondent(s):

Mr.V.Chandrasekaran, Special Public Prosecutor

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 24.11.2023 for the alleged offences under Sections 8 (c), r/w 22 (c), 23 (c), 28 and 29 of the NDPS Act, in F.No.48/1/23/2023-NCB/MDS on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused was found in illegal possession of 3.056 kg of Methamphetamine. Hence, the case.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that there are three accused in this case, among whom the petitioner is arrayed as A2. He submitted that A1 was already released on bail by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 25.02.2026. According to the prosecution, the entire recovery of 3.056 kg of Methamphetamine was made from A1 and based on that A1 was remanded to judicial custody on 17.11.2023. A2 and A3 were roped into this case solely based on the confession statement of A1. He further submitted that A3 is still absconding. He stated that the petitioner is innocent and has been in custody since 24.11.2023 and according to the prosecution the petitioner is only a supplier. Furthermore, he submitted that there is no substantial progress in the trial and prayed for a time limit of six months for trial. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

4.Per contra, the learned Special Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner's bail petition was dismissed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 09.01.2026, with a direction to the trial Court to complete the trial within a period of two years from February 2026. In the meanwhile, A1 was released on bail by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 25.02.2026. Following this, the petitioner preferred a review application which was also dismissed. Therefore, issuing any fresh direction regarding the trial is nothing but overreaching the order of the Hon'ble Supreme

Court. .Consequently, he strongly opposed the bail application on the ground that since a commercial quantity is involved, the rigour under Section 37 of the NDPS Act are attracted.

5. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record. 6.This case involves the recovery of a commercial quantity of 3.056 kg of Methamphetamine. It is an admitted fact that the petitioner had already approached the Hon'ble Supreme Court, which considered the release of the coaccused (A1) but ultimately dismissed the bail petition filed by the petitioner by directing the trial Court to complete the trial within a period of two years from the date on which the order is made ready.

7.Under such circumstances, as rightly contended by the learned Special Public prosecutor there are no materials to overcome the rigor under Section 37 of the NDPS Act. Regarding the next prayer to dispose of the trial within six months, this Court cannot issue such a direction because the Hon'ble Supreme Court has already adjudicated this aspect and granted two years time to the trial Court. Therefore, as rightly submitted by the learned Special Public Prosecutor, passing any fresh order regarding the timeline of the trial would definitely overreach the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. For these reasons, this

Court is of the firm view that the petitioner is not entitled for bail. Consequently, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 09-06-2026 ep To 1.The Intelligence officer NCB, Chennai.

PIN - 600 053.

2.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

EP 09-06-2026