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2026 Supreme(Raj) 213

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JAIPUR
ASHOK KUMAR JAIN, J.
Shyoji S/o Sugan Puri – Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan – Respondent
S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous Bail Application No. 6853 of 2026
Decided On : 04-05-2026

Advocates Appeared:
For the Appellants : Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Kamini Pareek
For the Respondent: Vijay Singh Yadav

In cases involving the illegal cultivation of poppy plants under narcotics legislation, the restrictive bail provisions are not attracted. Courts may grant bail upon considering factors such as the completion of the investigation and the duration of the accused's custody.

Headnote:(A) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita - Section 483 - Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act - Sections 8 and 18(c) - Illegal cultivation of poppy plants - Bail application - Whether the restrictive bail provisions of the Act are attracted in cases of illegal cultivation - Held, the restrictive provisions are not applicable to such offences - Considering the completion of investigation and the duration of custody, the applicant is entitled to bail. (Paras 3, 7, 8)

(B) Bail - Grant of - Factors to consider - Completion of investigation, duration of custody, and the likelihood of trial delay are relevant considerations for exercising judicial discretion in granting bail. (Para 8)

Facts of the case:
The applicant was arrested for the alleged illegal cultivation of poppy plants. The investigation is complete, and the applicant has been in custody for a significant period. The applicant sought bail, contending that the offence falls under a provision with a maximum punishment of ten years and that the stringent conditions for bail under the Act are not applicable to this specific offence.

Findings of Court:
The court observed that the investigation is complete and the applicant is no longer required for further proceedings. Given the nature of the offence and the legal position that the specific restrictive provision for bail is not attracted in cases of illegal cultivation, the court deemed it appropriate to grant bail.

Issues: Whether the applicant is entitled to bail for the offence of illegal cultivation of poppy plants, and whether the restrictive bail provisions of the Act apply to such an offence.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the restrictive bail provisions of the Act are not attracted in cases involving the illegal cultivation of poppy plants. Consequently, the court exercised its discretion to grant bail based on the completion of the investigation and the duration of the applicant's custody.

Result: Bail application allowed.

Table of Content
1. factual context of illegal poppy cultivation arrest. (Para 1 , 6)
2. parties' contentions regarding bail eligibility and merits. (Para 2 , 3 , 4)
3. legal reasoning and non-applicability of section 37. (Para 5 , 7 , 8)
4. grant of bail subject to specified conditions. (Para 9 , 10)

ORDER :

1. The present bail application under Section 483 of BNSS is filed by the applicant-accused Shyoji S/o Sugan Puri seeking bail in respect of a criminal case registered as FIR No.41/2026 dated 07.02.2026 registered at P.S. Bhinai, District - Ajmer, for the offence under Sections 8/18 of NDPS Act.

2. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the matter and the investigation against him is complete and he is no more required in investigation. He further submits that there are no chance of fleeing of applicant accused from the jurisdiction of this Hon’ble Court. He also submits that the applicant undertakes not to repeat offence and cooperate with trial, which will take time.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that the petitioner was arrested on the charge of illegal cultivation of poppy though there is no evidence that the poppy plaints were cultivated by the petitioner. He also referred orders dated 01.04.2021 passed in S.B. Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 4007/2021; Bhagirath Ram Vs. State of Rajasthan and dated 23.05.2024 in Second Bail Application No. 6376/2024; Guman Singh Vs. State of Rajasthan , decided by a Co-ordinate bench at Principal Seat Jodhpur and submitted that illegal cultivation of poppy would fall under Section 18(c) of the NDPS Act and the maximum punishment is up to 10 years.

4. Learned Public Prosecutor has vehemently opposed the bail application and submitted that the allegations are grave and serious in nature.

5. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner-accused and learned Public Prosecutor. Perused the material placed on record by both the parties.

6. On 06.02.2026, SHO, Police Station Bhinai, District Ajmer, has received information about illegal cultivation of poppy by the present petitioner and on information, he has reached the field of the present petitioner and found that poppy plaints were cultivated without any permission. The present petitioner was detained and an FIR No.41/2026 dated 07.02.2026 was registered at PS Bhinai, District Ajmer under Section 8/18 of the NDPS Act.

7. The issue pertains to illegal cultivation of poppy plaints which is a punishable offence underSection 18(c) of the NDPS Act. In case of Bhagirath Ram Vs. State of Rajasthan (supra) and Guman Singh Vs. State of Rajasthan and others (supra), a Co-ordinate Bench after considering the legal position has granted bail to a person who was charged for the offence of cultivation of poppy plant, observing that Section 37 of the NDPS Act is not attracted in such cases.

8. Upon hearing the arguments and perusing the record, we have found that the applicant-accused is no more required in the investigation and he is in custody for quite some time. The further proceedings will take its own time, therefore, looking to entirety of facts and circumstances of the case and without expressing any opinion on merits of the case, the Court deems it appropriate to grant bail to the applicant-accused.

9. Thus, the instant bail application filed on behalf of applicant-accused Shyoji S/o Sugan Puri, is hereby allowed and the applicant-accused is ordered to be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 50,000/- with two sureties of like amount to the satisfaction of the Trial Court with the following conditions:-

(i) The applicant-accused shall not tamper with evidence or influence the witness in any manner.

(ii) The applicant-accused shall not indulge in any criminal activity and shall not repeat any criminal offence punishable under the Law.

(iii) The applicant-accused shall attend the hearing of the Trial Court on the date fixed by the Trial court or as and when asked to appear befo

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