BECHU KURIAN THOMAS, J -------------------------------------------

B.A. No.13390 of 2025 ----------------------------------------------

Dated this the 21^st day of November, 2025

ORDER

This bail application is filed under section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘ BNSS ’).

2. Petitioner is the first accused in Crime No.138/2025 of Excise Range Office, Kollam registered for the offence punishable under Section 22 (b) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 .

3. The prosecution case is that on 15.09.2025, the accused was found in possession of 33.632 grams of Nitrazepam kept in the form of 60 tablets, and thereby the petitioner committed the offence alleged.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Public Prosecutor.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 15.09.2025 and hence he ought to be released on bail.

6. The learned Public Prosecutor opposed the bail application and submitted that the offence is very serious. 7. The petitioner is alleged to have committed a serious crime of possessing intermediate quantity of contraband.

8. Though there are prima fa