O R D E R

1. Heard Sri. Pratheep K.C., learned counsel for the accused/petitioners and Sri. Vinayaka V.S., learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent-State and perused the records.

2. Present petition is filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C.

with the following prayer:

“WHEREFORE, the petitioners in the above petition most humbly pray that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to allow this petition and enlarge the petitioners on bail in Cr. No. 17/2023 for the offence punishable U/S 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, by the Siddapura police station, Kodagu pending on the file of Additional civil judge (Jr. Dn) and JMFC at Madikeri in the interest of justice and equity”.

3. The brief facts of the case are as under:

The Police Officer by name Sri Dilipkumar B.M. S/o.

Murthynayak, filed a report with the Siddapura Police Station, Madikeri, Kodagu District, on 11.2.2023 which was registered in Crime No.17/2023 for the offence punishable under Sections 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as ‘NDPSAct' for short).

4. Gist of the report reveals that on 11.02.2023 at about 10.00 a.m., the Police Sub-Inspe