CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PURNENDU SINGH ORAL ORDER

2 28-01-2026 Heard Mr. Arvind Kumar Singh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners; Mr. Umesh Lal Verma learned APP for the State and Mr. Awdhesh Kr. Pandey along with Mr. Arvind Kumar, learned counsel for the UOI.

2. The petitioners seek pre-arrest bail in connection with Dhangai P.S. Case No. 23 of 2025 registered for the offence(s) punishable under Sections 8 ,15,18C,25 of the Narcotic Drugs And Psychotropic Substances Act .

3. As per the allegation made in the FIR, a team was constituted for the destruction of cultivated opium plant in Chordaha reserved forest land and accordingly 5.36 acres of illegal cultivation of opium were destroyed over different plots. A sample of opium plant was recovered and seizure list was prepared accordingly. It is further alleged that accused/petitioners along with other co-accused persons, who belong to another place, were suspected to be engaged in illegal cultivation of opium.

4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners submits that the alleged place of occurrence, where the opium plant were cultivated, is in the forest area. The petitioners are the simple farmers