PATNA, India, July 2 -- Patna High Court issued the following order on June 2:

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned APP for the State.

2. The petitioner seeks regular bail in connection with Rajouli P.S. Case No. 66 of 2025, lodged on 13.02.2025, under Sections 8, 17 & 18 of the NDPS Act, 1985.

3. As per the prosecution, FIR was lodged by the forester stating that, based on secret information about the cultivation of opium plants, the forest guard along with other officials found that opium plant was being cultivated in 20 katha of forest area. During the operation, 3-4 persons were found working there. With the help of the forest guard, one of the accused was caught in possession of 5 kg of opium plants, each approximately 2.5 feet in length, which were seized, and the remaining plants were destroyed.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent and has committed no offence. Counsel further submits that the petitioner is a lady aged about 53 years. It is also submitted that since she is a member of the Bhokta family, her name has been included in this case only on that basis. Counsel further submits that the petitioner is not named in the FIR and has been implicated solely on the basis of the confessional statement of the co-accused, namely Surendra Bhokta, who was apprehended on the spot by the police. Save and except the confessional statement, nothing adverse is alleged against the petitioner. Counsel also submits that nothing has been recovered from the possession of the petitioner.

5. Learned APP for the State opposes the prayer for bail and submits that the case has been registered under the NDPS Act and the petitioner's name has been implicated in this case. However, counsel fairly submits that nothing has been recovered from the petitioner's possession, nor is she named in the FIR.

6. In the present facts and circumstances of this case and the submissions made above, let the petitioner above named, be granted bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.30,000/- (Rupees Thirty thousand) as mentioned in Section 2(1) (d) of the BNSS, 2023 to the satisfaction of Principal District & Sessions Judge, Nawada, in connection with Rajouli P.S. Case No. 66 of 2025, subject to the following conditions as laid down under Section 480(3) of the BNSS.

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