BABUBHAI RAMJIBHAI KATARAversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

 R/CR.MA/19741/2026(GJHC240639762026)                        ORDER DATED: 24/08/2026




            IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

   R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
               CHARGESHEET) NO. 19741 of 2026
==========================================================
                          BABUBHAI RAMJIBHAI KATARA
                                    Versus
                              STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
DIPAKKUMAR D PRAJAPATI(9318) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR YUVRAJ BRAHMBHATT, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
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  CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR

                                   Date : 24/08/2026

                                        ORDER

[1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State.

[2.0] The present application is          led under Section 483 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in
connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11209020261045 of 2026 registered
with Idar Police Station, Sabarkantha, for the o.ence under Sections 8(c),
20(b)(ii)(A) of NDPS Act.

[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that
applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the o.ence.
Substantial part of investigation is over. Recovered quantity found from the
applicant is small quantity. He therefore submits that, considering the
nature of the o.ence, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by
imposing suitable conditions.

[4.0] Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent-State has
opposed the present application and submitted that, the applicant is
involved in the o.ence. Considering the conduct of the applicant,
application does not deserve any consideration.

[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the


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 R/CR.MA/19741/2026(GJHC240639762026)                       ORDER DATED: 24/08/2026




accused in the alleged o.ence, the jurisdiction to grant bail has to be
exercised on the basis of the well settled principles having regard to the
facts and circumstances of each case and the following factors are to be
taken into consideration while considering an application for bail: (i) the
nature of accusation and the severity of the punishment and the nature of
the materials relied upon by the prosecution; (ii) reasonable apprehension
of tampering with the witnesses and threat to the complainant or the
witnesses; (iii) reasonable possibility of securing the presence of the
accused at the time of trial or the likelihood of his abscondence; (iv)
character behaviour and standing of the accused and the circumstances
which are peculiar to the accused; (v) larger interest of the public or the
State and similar other considerations are required to be considered.

[6.0] I have heard the learned advocates appearing on behalf of the
respective parties and perused the investigation papers. Following aspects
have been considered:

(1)     The applicant is found with 0.643 Kgs Ganja which is small quantity
       and hence, rigors of Section 37 of NPDS Act is not applicable.
(2)     No past antecedent;
(3)    Applicant is behind the bar since 28.07.2026;
(4)    Substantial part of investigation is over;
(5)    There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant;
(6)    There is no possibility to conclude the trial in near future.
(7)    Applicant is 65 years old.

[7.0] This Court has also taken into consideration the law laid down by the
Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra vs. Central Bureau of
Investigation reported in [2012]1 SCC 40 as well as in the case of
Gudikanti Narasimhulu And Ors vs. Public Prosecutor, High Court of
Andhra Pradesh reported in (1978)1 SCC 240. Obviously, the conclusion of
trial will take time and keeping the accused behind the bars is nothing but


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 R/CR.MA/19741/2026(GJHC240639762026)                             ORDER DATED: 24/08/2026




amounts to pre-trial conviction and therefore, considering the celebrated
principle of bail jurisprudence is that “bail is a rule and jail is exception” as
well as the concept of personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the
Constitution of India, present application deserves consideration.

[8.0] In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature
of the allegations made against the applicant in the FIR, without discussing
the evidence in detail, prima facie, this Court is of the opinion that this is a
 t case to exercise the discretion and enlarge the applicant on regular bail.
Hence, the present application is allowed. The applicant is ordered to be
released on regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.
11209020261045          of   2026       registered     with   Idar   Police     Station,
Sabarkantha, on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-
 ve Thousand only) with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of
the trial Court and subject to the conditions that he/she shall;

   (a)     not take undue advantage of liberty or misuse liberty;
   (b)     not act in a manner injurious to the interest of the prosecution &
           shall not obstruct or hamper the police investigation and shall not
           to play mischief with the evidence collected or yet to be collected
           by the police;
   (c)     surrender passport, if any, to the Trial Court within a week;
   (d)     not leave the territory of State of Gujarat without prior
           permission of the Trial Court concerned;
   (e)     mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in a week
           till   ling of the chargesheet and after           ling of the chargesheet,
           mark presence before the concerned police station once in a
           month for a period of six months;
   (f)     furnish the copy of Aadhaar card, email ID/contact number /
           permanent and present address of his residence to the
           Investigating OEcer and also to the Court at the time of



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     R/CR.MA/19741/2026(GJHC240639762026)                                              ORDER DATED: 24/08/2026




                  execution of the bond and shall not change the residence and
                  contact number/SIM card without prior permission of Trial Court;
         (g)      not to indulge in any illegal activity failing which learned trial
                  Court shall issue warrant and cancel the bail of the applicant.

    [9.0] The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not required in
    connection with any other o.ence for the time being. If breach of any of the
    above conditions is committed, the Sessions Judge concerned will be free to
    issue warrant or take appropriate action in the matter.

    [10.0] Bail bond to be executed before the lower Court having jurisdiction to
    try the case. It will be open for the concerned Court to delete, modify
    and/or relax any of the above conditions, in accordance with law.

    [11.0] At the trial, the trial Court shall not be inHuenced by the observations
    of preliminary nature qua the evidence at this stage made by this Court
    while enlarging the applicant on bail.

    [12.0] Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct service is
    permitted.




                                                                            (HASMUKH D. SUTHAR,J)
    SUCHIT




Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: PATEL SUCHIT JAYESHBHAI(HC01083), Private Secretary, at High Court of Gujarat on 24/08/2026 15:09:14


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