1. Leave granted.

2. Learned Additional Solicitor General appeared for the Union of India and stated that she would be entering appearance formally during the course of the day. She, however, proceeded to argue the matter on merits on the strength of the complaint, which was placed on record.

3. The appellant, Ramesh, is aggrieved by the impugned judgment/order dated 11.08.2025 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras, whereby bail was denied to him in connection with Special Complaint Case No. 54/2022 on the file of the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge, Special Court for EC and NDPS Cases, Salem, in NCB F. No. 48/1/06/2021-NCB/MDS, for the offence(s) punishable under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

4. It is an admitted fact that the appellant, Ramesh, was arrested on 11.11.2021 in connection with the aforestated complaint case and has been in custody since then. However, charges have not even been framed as on date, owing to the fact that two of the accused are still absconding.

5. Though the quantity of Ganja seized, that is, 360.95 kgs., is well over the commercial quantity of 20 kgs. Prescribed under the Act, the continued incarceration of the appellant, Ramesh, (the owner of the truck), who was not even present at the spot when the seizure took place, cannot be prolonged indefinitely.

6. We, accordingly, accept the present appeal and direct that the appellant, Ramesh, shall be released on bail in connection with the aforestated complaint case, on such appropriate terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Special Court.

7. The impugned order is set aside and the appeal is allowed in the aforestated terms.

8. We clarify that we have not made any observations/comments on the merits of the case and any observation made in this order is meant only for the limited purpose of grant of bail.

9. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.