SUJIT RAGHUNATH BANGERA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this Application, the Applicant seeks his enlargement on bail in connection with C.R. No. 201 of 2025 dtd. 15/4/2025 registered with the Nerul Police Station, for the offences punishable under Ss. 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(A) (B), 21(a), 23(a), 23(b), 27A and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 ('NDPS') and Ss. 338, 336(6), 340(2), 255 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS'). In all, there are 26 accused involved in the present offence. The present Applicant is Accused No.4 and he is charged with offence punishable under Ss. 23(a), 23(b), 27A of the NDPS Act.

(2.) The brief facts of the case are that upon specific information, the police officials of the Nerul Police Station, proceeded to the residence of one of the persons against whom, information was received regarding the said persons being actively involved in illicit trade of Hydro Ganja. After compliance with the provisions of the NDPS Act, the officials proceeded to take action based on the information received. Upon reaching the location, the officials and the panchas headed towards the terrace of the building. However, noticing the police, the accused persons attempted to evade apprehension and one of them fled away. Remaining two accused i.e. Ashish Gaware and Ahmed Olgi were arrested. 1.15 Kgs of Ganja and 17.19 grams of Hydro Ganja were recovered. Accused were taken into custody and their statements were recorded. The statements of the arrested persons revealed the name of another accused one Sahil Lambe, who was also apprehended and further quantity of Hydro Ganja and Cocaine was recovered from him. During his interrogation the name of the present Applicant surfaced. Pursuant to a raid conducted at the Applicant's residence, the Applicant was arrested on 16/4/2025. However, no contraband was recovered from him nor from his premises.

(3.) The Applicant made an application seeking bail before the Additional Sessions Judge, Belapur. However, by order dtd. 27/6/2025, the said application was rejected. Hence, the Applicant has filed the present Bail Application for the reliefs as prayed.