Meenakshi Sundaram v. The Inspector Of Police

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

This Criminal Original petition has been filed seeking to enlarge the petitioners on bail in respect of Crime No.35 of 2022 registered for the offence under Sections 8(c) read with Section 20(b)(ii)(c), 25 and 29(1) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, on the file of the respondent Police.

2. The case of the prosecution is that, on 29.06.2022 at about 19.50 hours, after receiving secret information, the respondent police intercepted a lorry bearing Reg.No.TN 58 AW 6750, the petitioners were found to transport 2 bags of Ganja weighing 25 kgs of Ganja. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent persons and false case has been registered against them. He would further submit that the petitioners are only driver and cleaner of the lorry and they had transported only maize

grains and even as per the FIR, the bags have been handed over to the petitioners by someone and they are not aware of the contents of the bags. He would further submit that the petitioners have been suffering incarceration from 30.06.2022 and hence, he prays for grant of bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police would submit that the petitioners were also in conscious possession of the alleged contraband and would further submit that the investigation is at initial stage. Hence, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioners.

5. Taking into consideration the submissions made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) and also considering the quantum of contraband involved in this case is a "Commercial Quantity"and that the investigation is pending and in the initial stage, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioners.

6. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed for the present.

04.11.2022 Sma

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

Sma 04.11.2022