IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) No. 2383 of 2025 Reserved on: 16.01.2026 Date of Decision: 23.01.2026.

Pradeep Kumar ….Petitioner Versus State of H.P. & Anr r …. Respondents Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Vacation Judge.

Whether approved for reporting?¹ No For the Petitioner : Mr N.S. Chandel, Senior Advocate with Mr K.S. Gill, Advocate.

gFor the Respondents : Mr Ajit Sharma, Deputy Advocate General.

Rakesh Kainthla, Vacation Judge The petitioner has filed the present petition seeking regular bail in FIR No. 41 of 2025, dated 17.02.2025, registered at Police Station, Paonta Sahib, District Sirmaur, H.P., for the commission of an offence punishable under Section 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).

1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes.

2. It has been asserted that, as per the prosecution, the police received secret information on 17.02.2025 that the petitioner, who was working as a Chowkidar in the Forest Corporation Sales Depot at Taruwala, was indulging in the sale of narcotics. The police reached the Forest Corporation Depot, searched the Almirah and recovered 1.614 kg of cha