IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) No. 497 of 2026 Reserved on: 08.05.2026 Date of Decision: 14.05.2026.

Mukul Bhardwaj …. Petitioner Versus State of HP …. Respondent Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Judge.

Whether approved for reporting?¹ No For the Petitioner : Mr Vikram Thakur, Legal Aid Counsel.

For the Respondent/State: Mr Lokender Kutlehria, Additional Advocate General.

Rakesh Kainthla, Judge The petitioner has filed the present petition for seeking regular bail in FIR No. 282 of 2025, dated 22.11.2025, registered at Police Station Sadar, Chamba, District Chamba, H.P., for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 21, 27A and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Sections 221 and 132 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

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 party was present at Bhatti Nala near Sultanpur-Chamba- Pathankot, NH-154A on 22.11.2025 at about 7 AM. They were checking the vehicles when they received secret information that one Binta Mahajan and her son Aryan Mahajan were indulging in the sale/purc