Akshay Ashok Hinge v. Union Of India And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 294 OF 2025 Akshay Ashok Hinge ... Applicant

Versus

Union Of India And Anr ... Respondents ________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.02.11 11:50:41 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Ayaz Khan, for the Applicant.

Ms.Manisha Jagtap, for Respondent No.1-NCB.

Mr.B.B. Kulkarni, APP for Respondent-State.

________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 9th FEBRUARY 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in NCB Crime No.27 of 2023 registered with Intelligence Officer, NCB, Mumbai for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 21(c), 22(c), 27A, 28, and 29 of the The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 ('NDPS' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that based on information, police intercepted the Mahindra Bolero pickup vehicle with two occupants. In search of the said vehicle, Police recovered seven drums with purported

Alprazolam weighing at 40.800 kgs, 22.200 kgs, 18.200 kgs, 24.600 kg, 14.100 k.g and 25.100 kgs. respectively. The police recorded the statements of the co-accused Nos.1 and 2. In their first statement, they had not named the Applicant, thereafter the accused No.4 took the name of the Applicant and on the basis of his statement, police arrested the Applicant stating that the Applicant was party to the contraband transaction's.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant has no antecedents. He is behind bars for more than one year and eight months. The Applicant has been arrested based on the statement of the co-accused, they have similar allegations like the Applicant, have been released on bail. Hence, the Applicant is entitled for bail on principle of parity, and requested to allow the Application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that, contraband of commercial quantity was recovered at the instance of the co-accused. The Applicant was part of the said transaction's. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and

documents produced on record.

6.

The Applicant has no antecedents. The co-accused Chepuri Narsimlu and Nagma Khan having similar allegations like Applicant have been released on bail. Hence, the Applicant is entitled for bail on principle of parity and I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Akshay Ashok Hinge be released on bail in NCB Crime No.27 of 2023 registered with Intelligence Officer, NCB, Mumbai, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.

(v) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)