Court considers serious medical condition of petitioner's wife, granting interim bail despite allegations of commercial quantity possession under NDPS Act.
In a significant development, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has granted interim bail to Mulagapaka Venkatesh, who is facing charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, for allegedly possessing 80 kilograms of ganja, a commercial quantity. The decision was rendered by Justice Dr. Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa on March 18, 2026, in Criminal Petition No. 1996 of 2026.
The prosecution alleged that Venkatesh, along with two other accused, was involved in the transportation of the substantial quantity of the narcotic substance on December 5, 2025. However, Venkatesh's counsel, Mr. Duggirala Subash, argued that his client was innocent and had been falsely implicated. He further highlighted the grave medical condition of Venkatesh's wife, who is suffering from sickle cell anemia and sepsis, necessitating Venkatesh's presence for her care due to the absence of any other male family member.
Despite the prosecution's contention, led by the Assistant Public Prosecutor, that the investigation was still in its early stages, the court was persuaded by the humanitarian grounds presented. The court acknowledged the urgent need for Venkatesh's presence with his ailing wife and thus decided to grant interim bail.
Justice Pratapa imposed several conditions for granting bail, including the execution of a personal bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties of the same amount. Venkatesh is required to surrender back to custody at the Central Prison, Visakhapatnam, by April 1, 2026.
This decision underscores the court's commitment to balancing legal proceedings with humanitarian considerations, particularly in cases where the petitioner's immediate family is in dire need of support.
Bottom Line:
Bail granted considering the serious medical condition of the petitioner's wife, despite allegations of possession of commercial quantity of ganja under the NDPS Act.
Statutory provision(s): Sections 20(b)(ii)(C), 25 read with 8(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Sections 437 and 439 of Cr.P.C., Sections 480 and 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Mulagapaka Venkatesh v. State of Andhra Pradesh, (Andhra Pradesh) : Law Finder Doc id # 2871099
