Rahul David. C (A-12) vs State Of Karnataka

K. V. Aravind, J

This petition under section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, 'BNSS 2023') is by accused No.12 in Crime No.24/2026 registered by the Amruthahally police station for offences punishable under Sections 20(b), 8(c) and 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

Sri R.V. Shivananda Reddy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, submits that the FIR was registered against four accused persons and later the petitioner was added as accused No.12 during the course of the investigation. It is submitted that this Court in Crl.P.No.3025/2026 and Crl.P.No.4921/2026 both by orders dated 29.04.2026 has granted bail to accused Nos.4 and 10. It is submitted that the facts involved in the present case are identical to the case considered by this court in the above petitions.

Learned High Court Government Pleader submits that if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, he will indulge in similar criminal activities and he may not participate in the trial.

Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned High Court Government Pleader and on perusal of the FIR and the orders passed by the co-ordinate bench of this Court in the above referred matters prima facie, the facts involved in both the cases are identical. This Court finds no different grounds to deny bail to the petitioner. The petitioner would be entitled to bail, as has been considered in the case of accused Nos.4 and 10.

In the light of the orders passed in Crl.P.No.3025/2026 and Crl.P.No.4921/2026 dated 29.04.2026, the present petition requires to be allowed. Accordingly, this Court passes the following:

ORDER

i. The criminal petition is allowed;

ii. The petitioner is ordered to be enlarged on bail in Crime No.24/2026 by the respondent-police for the offences punishable under Sections 20(b)(ii)(b), 8(c) and 22(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, on executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with one local surety for the likesum to the satisfaction of the Trial Court;

iii. The petitioner shall not threaten or tamper with the prosecution witnesses nor hamper the proceedings of the Court;

iv. The petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on all hearing dates without fail until exempted;

v. The petitioner shall not indulge in any criminal activities.

In case, if the petitioner violates any of the bail conditions as stated above, liberty is reserved to the prosecution to file necessary application for cancellation of bail.