(Prayer: Petition under Section 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition, the High Court may be pleased to release the petitioner/Accused-3 on bail in Cr. No. 08 of 2025 of Pedabayalu Police Station, Alluri Seetha Rama Raju District dated 24-02-2025 and pass)

1. The instant petition under Sections 480 and 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short „BNSS‟) has been filed by the Petitioner/Accused No.3, seeking regular bail in Crime No. 8 of 2025 of Pedabayalu Police Station, Alluri Sitharama Raju District, registered for the offences punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) r/w 25, 8(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for brevity “the NDPS Act”).

2. Heard Sri Kakumanu Joji Amrutha Raju, learned counsel for the Petitioner and Mrs. K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor, representing the State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the Coordinate Bench of this Court, in Crl.P.No.6101 of 2025 vide Order dated 02.07.2025, has already enlarged the Accused No.1 in the present crime on bail. The petitioner herein is Accused No.3.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that nothing has been seized from the possession of the petitioner. Except for the alleged confession made by another accused, there is no material against the petitioner. The petitioner was arrested in this matter and he has been in judicial custody since 11.11.2025.

5. Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor submits that this Court may pass appropriate orders, as the case of the petitioner stands on the same footing as that of Accused No.1.

6. Considering the submissions made and in view of the fact that the Coordinate Bench of this Court, in Crl.P.No.6101 of 2025 vide Order dated 02.07.2025, had already enlarged the Accused No.1 on bail, this Court is inclined to release the petitioner on regular bail on the following conditions:

                  i. The petitioner/Accused No.3 shall be released on bail on executing a personal bond for Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial First Class Magistrate, Paderu.

                  ii. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall appear before the Investigating Officer as and when required and shall cooperate with further investigation, if any.

                  iii. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall not directly or indirectly tamper with evidence nor influence, intimidate, or induce any prosecution witness.

                  iv. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall appear before the Station House Officer, concerned, once in a week i.e., on every Saturday between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. till filing of charge sheet.

                  v. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall not commit or indulge in commission of any offence in future.

                  vi. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall surrender his passport, if any, to the concerned Court. If he claims that he does not have a passport, he shall submit an affidavit to that effect to the concerned Court.

7. In the event of violation of any of the above conditions, the prosecution shall be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail.

8. It is also made clear that the observations made in this order are only for the purpose of deciding the bail applications and they shall not be construed as opinion on the merits of the Crime.

9. Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed.