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Madhya Pradesh High Court
Vedansh Awasthi vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 4 May, 2026
Author: Sanjeev S Kalgaonkar
Bench: Sanjeev S Kalgaonkar
1 MCRC-20144-2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
AT JABALPUR
BEFORE
HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE SANJEEV S KALGAONKAR
ON THE 4 th OF MAY, 2026
MISC. CRIMINAL CASE No. 20144 of 2026
VEDANSH AWASTHI
Versus
THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH
Appearance:
Shri Sampooran Tiwari - Advocate for the applicant.
Shri Himanshu Tiwari - PL for respondent/State.
ORDER
This second application has been filed by applicant under 483 of
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 for grant of bail in connection
with Crime No. 49/2026 registered at Police Station- Bargi, District Jabalpur
(M.P.) for offence punishable under Section(s) 8/20 & 29 of the NDPS Act.
The applicant is in judicial custody since 03.02.2026.
2. Heard the arguments.
3. Perused the grounds for grant of bail stated in the application, case diary
and the relevant material on record.
4. Learned counsel for the applicant, in addition to the grounds mentioned
in the application, submits that the applicant is falsely implicated in the
alleged offence merely on suspicion. The narcotic contraband ganja was not
seized from the active and conscious possession of the applicant. The due
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procedure for search and seizure was not complied with. Applicant is young
boy aged 19 years, who is pursuing studies and still the dependent on
family. It is further submitted that applicant has clean past, with family roots.
There is no history of evading process of law. There is no likelihood of
tampering with evidence by the applicant. Jail incarceration is causing
hardship to the young applicant. Applicant is ready to cooperate in the trial.
5. Per contra, learned counsel for the State opposes the application on the
ground of gravity of alleged offence. However, after going through the
case diary, he fairly states that no criminal antecedent is reported against
the applicant. The applicant is aged around 19 years and he is a student.
6. As per the accusation on case diary, Sub-Inspector Anil Kumar of Police
Station Bargi, acting on secret information, conducted a search of the
Nandan Bus on 02.02.2026. During the search, narcotic contraband (ganja)
was recovered from the shoulder bag of Shivam Kaserwani, the shoulder bag
of Golu @ Annu Dhusiya, the carry bag of Rupesh Raikwar, and a blanket
belonging to Vedansh Awasthi (the present applicant). On personal search of
the applicant and the co-accused persons, a total quantity of 6.739 kilograms
of ganja was seized from their joint possession. On such allegations, Police
Station- Bargi registered FIR for offence punishable under Sections 8/20 &
29 of NDPS Act. The applicant was arrested on 03.02.2026 and he is in
custody ever since. The trial would take time to conclude. The contentions
advanced by the applicant have prima-facie merit and cannot be dismissed as
manifestly baseless. The veracity of prosecution and due compliance with
the procedure for search and seizure, will be determined after evidence in the
3 MCRC-20144-2026
trial.
7. As informed, the applicant is pursuing studies and still dependent on the
family. Considering these aspects, there appears to be no possibility of
fleeing from justice. In absence of any criminal antecedent, considering the
socio-economic status of the applicant, there appears to be no likelihood of
recidivism or tampering with evidence or influencing the witnesses by the
applicant. There appears to be no compelling reason to continue
incarceration of the young applicant. However, the observations, herein-
above, are recorded for present application only.
8. Considering the rival contentions and overall circumstances of the case, in
the light of aforestated facts, but without commenting on the merits, this
Court is inclined to release the applicant on bail. Thus, the application is
allowed.
9 . Accordingly, it is directed that applicant- Vedansh Awasthi shall be
released on bail in connection with Crime, as mentioned in first paragraph of
this order, upon furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/-
(Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with one surety of the same amount to the
satisfaction of the trial Court, for compliance with the following conditions :
(For convenience of understanding by accused and surety, the conditions of
bail are also reproduced in Hindi as under):-
(1) Applicant shall remain present on every date of hearing as may be directed by the concerned
court;
(1) आवेदक संबंिधत यायालय के िनदशानुसार सुनवाई क येक ितिथ पर उप थत रहे गा ।
(2) Applicant shall not commit or get involved in any offence of similar nature;
(2) आवेदक समान कृ ित का केाई अपराध नह ं करे गा या उसम स मिलत नह ं होगा ।
(3) Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any
4 MCRC-20144-2026
person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them/him/her from disclosing such
facts to the Court or to the police officer;
(3) आवेदक करण के त य से प रिचत कसी य को य या अ य प से लोभन, धमक या
वचन नह ं दे गा, जससे ऐसा य ऐसे त य को यायालय या पुिलस अिधकार को कट करने से
िनवा रत हो
(4) Applicant shall not directly or indirectly attempt to tamper with the evidence or allure,
pressurize or threaten the witness;
(4) आवदे क य या अ य प से सा य के साथ छे डछाड करने का या सा ी या सा य को
बहलाने-फुसलाने, दबाव डालने या धमकाने का यास नह ं करे गा ।
(5) During trial, the applicant shall ensure due compliance of provisions of Section 309 of
Cr.P.C./346 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 regarding examination of witnesses in
attendance;
(5) वचारण के दौरान, उप थत गवाह से पर ण के संबंध म आवेदक धारा ३०९ दं . .सं./ ३४६ भारतीय
नाग रक सुर ा सं हता, 2023 के ावधान का उिचत अनुपालन सुिन त करे गा ।
10. This order shall be effective till the end of trial. However, in case of
breach of any of the preconditions of bail, the trial Court may consider, on
merit, cancellation of bail without any impediment of this order.
11. The trial Court shall get these conditions reproduced on the personal
bond by the accused and on surety bond by the surety concerned. If any of
them is unable to write, the scribe shall certify that he/she had explained the
conditions to the concerned accused or the surety.
12. C.C. as per rules.
(SANJEEV S KALGAONKAR)
JUDGE
sm
