ORDER

The petitioner is the accused in S.C. No.

522/2023 on the files of the Additional Sessions Judge- VII, Ernakulam (‘Trial Court’, for short), which has originated from Crime No. 10/2020 of the Excise Range Office, Mattancherry, alleging the commission of the offences punishable under Section 20 (b)(ii)(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act , 1985.

2. The petitioner has stated in the Criminal Miscellaneous Case that he was enlarged on bail by the Trial Court as per Annexure 1 order subject to conditions. As per condition No. (1), the petitioner was directed to execute a bail bond for Rs. 50,000/- with two solvent sureties, of whom one shall be the parent or close relative. Neither the petitioner's parents nor relatives are willing to stand as sureties to the petitioner. It is well settled that the courts shall not impose onerous conditions; particularly that the sureties should be close relatives (Read: Kathika Pradeep v. State of Kerala ( 2025 KHC OnLine 1915 )). In light of the above exposition of law, condition No. (1) may be suitably modified/deleted.

3. Heard; the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor.

4. In Kathika Pradeep’