AP High Court Grants Interim Bail To Accused In 80Kg Ganja Case, Cites Wife's Severe Health Condition Requiring Immediate Care

After getting caught with the said quantity of ganja in possession, offences punishable under Sections 20(b)(ii)(C) (punishment for possession of ganja) read with 8(c) of NDPS Act (possession of narcotic drug except for medicinal purpose) were registered against him. Subsequently, he filed a criminal petition seeking bail.

Against this backdrop, Dr. Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa, while granting interim bail, held,

“The allegation against the petitioner/Accused No. 1 is that he was involved in dealing with 80 kg of ganja, which undoubtedly constitutes a commercial quantity. The petitioner was arrested on 06.12.2025 and has been in judicial custody since then. The petitioner is a permanent resident of East Godavari District and has a fixed place of abode. However, in view of the fact that the petitioner's wife is suffering from severe medical ailments and his presence is urgently required to attend to her, this Court is inclined to grant interim bail to the petitioner/Accused No. 1.”

The petitioner had submitted that his wife was suffering from sickle cell anemia, due to which she was having painful episodes leading to collapses and was also undergoing treatment for sepsis, which demanded the petitioner's presence with his wife. He also emphasised that there was no other male assistance available to her wife.

In contrast, the State submitted that the petitioner was caught dealing with 80kgs of ganja, and since the investigation was at a nascent stage, the petition deserved to be dismissed.

In light of the concerning health condition of the petitioner's wife, the Court granted him interim bail, which was to commence from 19.03.2026, till 01.04.2026.

Case Number: CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 1996/2026

Case Title: MULAGAPAKA VENKATESH v. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

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