ABHISHEK ANIL Vs. NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present petition has been filed seeking regular bail in connection with FIR/Crime No. VIII/16/DZU/2023 under Ss. 8(C), 21, 22, 23 and 29 of NDPS Act, registered at Police Station NCB (DZU).

(2.) On 19/4/2023, the NCB, Delhi Zonal Unit, received secret information that 28 parcels lying at DTDC Express Limited, Samalkha, New Delhi contained narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Acting on this, a team led by JIO HarenderDagar reached DTDC, where 28 parcels were produced before them. All parcels had the sender's name "AASK & Associates, Gurugram." Upon checking parcel no. V87616631, 500 LSD blot papers weighing 8.34 grams were recovered concealed inside a Hanuman Chalisa book. The consignment was addressed to one Abhishek Anil, present petitioner, of Gurugram. Based on the recovery, Abhishek was summoned under Sec. 67 NDPS Act and appeared before NCB on 20/4/2023. In his voluntary statement, he admitted that the parcel was ordered by his friend Jithin, who ran a caf, Echoes of Nature, at Kasol, Himachal Pradesh. He further disclosed that he had earlier received two parcels containing LSD and Charas for Jithin. He said Jithin collected the contraband from him personally and also asked him to count the LSD blots and reship them.

(3.) Acting on this, NCB laid a trap at Abhishek's residence, where a person named Lino came to collect the parcel on Jithin's instructions and was also apprehended. Lino confirmed that he was sent by Jithin to collect "some items" from Abhishek. Thereafter, Jithin was traced and examined under Sec. 67 NDPS Act at NCB Mandi, where he admitted to ordering the LSD parcel in Abhishek's name for convenience. He also disclosed his role along with associates Joyal Joseph and Ganesh in arranging LSD supplies via the dark web and receiving them at Abhishek's address. He admitted receiving earlier consignments of 1000 LSD blots and selling part of them at his caf. CDR analysis corroborated that Jithin, Abhishek, and Lino were in contact, and location data matched their stated movements to Gurugram. Forensic reports confirmed LSD presence and WhatsApp chats between Jithin and Abhishek regarding drug parcels. NCB Cochin also linked Jithin to another LSD recovery from a parcel tracked to his number. The statements and digital evidence collectively established a drug trafficking network connecting Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Gurugram. Based on these findings, NCB arrested Abhishek, Jithin, and Lino under Ss. 8, 21, 22, 23, and 29 of the NDPS Act. Abhishek Anil, the applicant was arrested on 21/4/2023.