ORDER :

These are bail applications filed by accused 1 and 2 in Crime No.112 of 2022 of Malappuram Police Station, Malappuram, under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Public Prosecutor in detail. Perused the case diary and report of the Investigating Officer placed by the learned Public Prosecutor.

3. The prosecution case is that at about 22.05 hours on 16.02.2022, when the Sub Inspector of Police, Malappuram Police Station, was engaged in vehicle checking, it was found that ganja was transporting in a TATA Tiago car bearing Registration No.KL 71 F 6107. Accordingly, the vehicle was searched and 22.125 kg. of ganja was seized. Pursuant to recovery, accused Nos.1 and 2 were arrested and crime alleging commission of offences punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)C and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (`NDPS Act' for short hereinafter) was registered.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner pressed for grant of bail on the submission that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents and they have been in custody from 16.02.2022 onwards on the allegation that they had possessed 22.125 kg. of