The court emphasized that serious allegations and prior conduct justify denial of bail in narcotics cases.

ORDER

This application is filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, BNSS )

seeking regular bail.

2. The applicant is arrayed as accused No.2 in S.C.No.19/2025 on the files of the Additional District and Sessions Court, Kalpetta in Crime No.299/2024 of Thirunelli Police Station, Wayanad District. The offence alleged is punishable under Section 22 (c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short, the NDPS Act)

3. The prosecution case, in short, is that on

11.7.2024, the officers of Thirunelli police while on patrol duty, found the accused No.1 in possession of 265.55 gms of methamphetamine in a car in contravention of the NDPS Act and Rules.

4. I have heard Sri. M.S. Shaju, the learned counsel for the applicant and Sri. M.C. Ashi, the learned Senior Public Prosecutor. Perused the case diary.

5. The learned counsel for the applicant submitted that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. The counsel further submitted that no materials are on record to connect the applicant with the alleged crime; hence, he is entitled to bail. On the other hand, the learned Senior Public Prosecutor submitted that the alleged incident occurred as a part of the intentional criminal acts of the applicant, and he is not entitled to bail at this stage.

The applicant was formally arrested on 28.4.2025. A perusal of the case diary would reveal that the accusation against the applicant is very serious, and it prima facie shows a premeditated criminal act on his part. He was granted bail by this Court for ten days to perform his own marriage on 16.6.2025. However, he absconded and he was arrested after five months on 27.11.2025. Since then he is in custody. That apart, he is involved in four other crimes of similar nature. Considering the nature of the crime, the gravity of the offence, the complicity of the applicant in it, and the facts and circumstances mentioned above, I am of the view that the applicant cannot be released on bail at this stage. The bail application, accordingly, is dismissed.

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