CHINTALA MURALI Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Criminal Petition has been filed under Ss. 480 and 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for brevity 'the BNSS'), seeking to enlarge the Petitioners/Accused Nos.1 & 3 on bail in Crime No.231 of 2025 of Gokavaram Police Station, East Godavari District, registered against the Petitioners/Accused Nos.1 and 3 herein for the offences punishable under Sec. 8(c) read with Sec. 20(b)(ii)(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for brevity 'the NDPS Act').

(2.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor. Perused the record.

(3.) The petitioners/accused Nos.1 and 3 were indulged in possession of 11 kgs of ganja. It is not a commercial quantity. The petitioners were arrested on 10/10/2025. They have been in judicial custody for the past 27 days. So far six witnesses are examined. They are all official and material witnesses. Therefore, the possibility of the petitioners threatening the official witnesses, tampering with evidence, or hampering the investigation does not arise. The petitioners are permanent residents of Rajahmahendravaram. They have got fixed abode. The learned Assistant Public Prosecutor submits that there are no adverse criminal antecedents reported against the petitioners. If conditions are imposed, there is no likelihood of their absconding or evading the process of law. The petitioners/Accused Nos.1 and 3 are of impressionable ages, 19 years and 20 years respectively.