RAULJI DEVENDRASINH INDRASINHversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court exercised its discretion and granted regular bail to the applicant.
Summary
The applicant, Raulji Devendrasinh Indrasinh, filed a regular bail application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in connection with an FIR alleging cultivation of ganja under Section 20(a)(i) of the NDPS Act. The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offence. The Court examined factors such as the nature of the accusation, the intermediate quantity seized (rendering Section 37 inapplicable), the applicant’s lack of prior record, and the principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception under Article 21. Relying on Supreme Court precedents (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor), the Court held that pre‑trial detention would amount to a de facto conviction. Consequently, the Court exercised its discretion and granted regular bail with a personal bond and several conditions, directing the lower court to release the applicant.
Issues considered
- The applicability of Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023 for granting regular bail in an NDPS offence.
- Whether the nature and quantity of the contraband (intermediate quantity) preclude the invocation of Section 37 of the NDPS Act and affect bail eligibility.
- Balancing the accused’s personal liberty under Article 21 against the State’s interest in preventing tampering with evidence and ensuring trial attendance.
Legislation cited
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/18106/2026 ORDER DATED: 05/08/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER
CHARGESHEET) NO. 18106 of 2026
==========================================================
RAULJI DEVENDRASINH INDRASINH
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR MAULIK M SONI(7249) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MS VRUNDA SHAH, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 05/08/2026
ORDER
[1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State.
[2.0] The present application is 6led under Section 483 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in
connection with FIR being C.R. No.11207076260245 of 2026 registered with
Vejalpur Police Station, District Panchmahal for the o@ences under
Section 20(a)(i) of the 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 and now
nothing is required to be recovered or discovered. 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 requested to dismiss the present
application for regular bail looking to the nature and gravity of the o@ence.
[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the
accused in the alleged o@ence, the jurisdiction to grant bail has to be
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R/CR.MA/18106/2026 ORDER DATED: 05/08/2026
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 allegation is that the applicant was found cultivating Ganja
however, muddamal contraband seized is intermediate quantity and
therefore, rigors of section 37 of the NDPS Act would not apply and
even otherwise, investigation is over and charge-sheet is 6led;
(2) Applicant is behind the bars since 07.04.2026;
(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant;
(4) The applicant is not having any past antecedent ;
(5) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take some
time.
[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
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R/CR.MA/18106/2026 ORDER DATED: 05/08/2026
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
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 6t
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.11207076260245 of 2026 registered with Vejalpur Police Station,
District Panchmahal on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees
Twenty-6ve Thousand only) with ONE SURETY of the like amount to the
satisfaction of the trial Court and subject to the conditions that he 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
month for a period of six months between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00
p.m.;
(f) furnish the copy of Aadhaar card, email ID/contact number /
permanent and present address of his residence to the
Investigating OMcer and also to the Court at the time of
execution of the bond and shall not change the residence and
contact number/SIM card without prior permission of Trial
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R/CR.MA/18106/2026 ORDER DATED: 05/08/2026
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 inNuenced 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.)
Ajay
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: AJAY CHANDRAN MENON(HC00939), PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 05/08/2026 14:23:13
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