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NEUTRAL CITATION

R/CR.MA/6907/2026 JUDGMENT DATED: 02/04/2026

0.13759358206611916

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR SUCCESSIVE REGULAR BAIL -

AFTER CHARGESHEET) NO. 6907 of 2026

FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE:

HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. R. MENGDEY ==========================================================

Approved for Reporting Yes No ==========================================================

DEVDUTT ANAND PURI Versus STATE OF GUJARAT

==========================================================

Appearance:

DHRUVIN P BHUPTANI(8295) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MR KANVA ANTANI, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1 ==========================================================

CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. R. MENGDEY Date : 02/04/2026

JUDGMENT

1. The Applicant has filed this Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for enlarging the Applicant on Regular Bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.11823026250271 of 2025 registered with Aamletha Police Station, Narmada for the offences punishable under Section 8(C), 20 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic

Substances Act, 1985.

2. Learned advocate appearing for the applicant submitted that the applicant has been arrested in connection with the present offence on 30.03.2025 and since then, he is in custody. Though, the period of more than One year has passed after his

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NEUTRAL CITATION

R/CR.MA/6907/2026 JUDGMENT DATED: 02/04/2026

0.13759358206611916

arrest, no charge has been framed against the present applicant before the learned Trial Court. Thus, the trial has not commenced during a period of One year. He further submitted that as per the case of prosecution, the contraband substance of Ganja worth 29 kgs had been recovered which also consisted of the leaves and stumps of the plants of ganja. If the weight of those leaves and stumps are taken out, the quantity of the contraband substance of Ganja may come below the commercial quantity. He therefore submitted to allow the present application

and enlarge the applicant on bail subject to suitable conditions.

3. Learned APP has opposed present application contending that the present applicant was found in conscious possession of the contraband substance of Ganja worth 29 kgs which is a commercial quantity. He therefore submitted to dismiss the

present application.

4. Heard learned advocates for the parties. The applicant had earlier preferred Criminal Misc. Application No. 19295 of 2025 which was allowed to be withdrawn by this Court vide order dated 22.09.2025 since this Court was not inclined to exercise discretion in favour of the applicant. Thereafter, the present successive application has been filed by the applicant. It is sought to be contended that after the withdrawal of the earlier application filed by the applicant, there has been no progress in the trial. From the record it appears that the quantity of the contraband substance involved in the present offence is a commercial quantity and therefore, in view of the Judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court in case of Union of India v. Vigin K Varghese reported in 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 1101, the delay in trial

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NEUTRAL CITATION

R/CR.MA/6907/2026 JUDGMENT DATED: 02/04/2026

0.13759358206611916

itself cannot be the ground for grant of bail.

5. Sofar as the aspect of merits is concerned, the applicant herein was found in conscious possession of the contraband substance of Ganja worth 29.15 kgs which is a commercial

quantity.

6. Having regard to these aspects, no case is made out to exercise discretion in favour of the applicant. Hence, the present

application stands dismissed.

(M. R. MENGDEY,J)

AHS

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