VEGI SRINIVASA RAO Vs. SENIOR INTLLIGENCE OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal Petition is filed, under Sections 437 and 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, seeking to grant bail to the petitioner/A-1 in F.No.DRI/HZU/48A/ENQ-122(INT)/2020 on the file of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Zonal Unit, Hyderabad.

(2.) In brief, the case of the prosecution is that basing on specific intelligence that the petitioner, who is residing at H.No.1-8- 55/13/24, MES Colony, Venkatapuram, Alwal, Hyderabad, has involved in the illicit manufacture and sale of Mephedrone, a psychotropic substance specified under the N.D.P.S. Act, 1985, and he could be in possession of Mephedrone, which is likely to be handed over to some persons near Sree Bakery, Temple Alwal, Secunderabad, the officers of D.R.I., Hyderabad Zonal Unit, along with independent witnesses reached Sree Bakery, Temple Alwal, Secunderabad, on 10.12.2020 and laid wait. At that time, the petitioner came on a two-wheeler of Honda Shine bearing Registration No.AP-10-AL-0802 and stopped the vehicle opposite to the said Sree Bakery. After few minutes, A-2 (Sayyed Ashraf) came in an auto rickshaw bearing No.TS-09-UA-6518, got down and met the petitioner and received a white coloured plastic cover package from him and that the D.R.I. Officers intercepted the said persons. On enquiry, the petitioner and A-2 said to have confessed their guilt of illicit manufacturing, selling, purchasing and transporting of 3.156 Kgs. of Mephedrone, a psychotropic substance under N.D.P.S. Act, which is valued at Rs.63.12 lakhs and that the D.R.I. Officers, seized the said contraband under the cover of panchanama; arrested the petitioner and A-2 on 11.12.2020 and remanded to judicial custody.

(3.) Heard Sri Gopalakrishna Kalanidhi, learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner, Sri T.V.Subba Rao, Special Public Prosecutor for D.R.I., Hyderabad and perused the record.