Delhi High Court – Orders
Pawan Yadav vs The State Of Nct Of Delhi on 21 July, 2026
Author: Prateek Jalan
Bench: Prateek Jalan
$~2
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ BAIL APPLN. 1097/2026
PAWAN YADAV .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Pramod Kumar, Advocate.
versus
THE STATE OF NCT OF DELHI .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Yudhvir Singh Chauhan, APP.
SI Chandra Shekhar, P.S.
ANS/West.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN
ORDER
% 21.07.2026
1. By way of this application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the petitioner seeks regular bail in
connection with FIR No. 654/2024, dated 10.12.2024, registered at P.S.
Janak Puri, Delhi, under Sections 20/29 of the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 [“NDPS Act“].
2. I have heard Mr. Pramod Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner,
and Mr. Yudhvir Singh Chauhan, learned Additional Public Prosecutor
for the State. The prosecution has placed on record a status report.
3. The case of the prosecution, as it emerges from the status report, is
as follows:
a. On 10.12.2024, at about 7:45 AM, secret information was received
regarding illegal trafficking and supply of Ganja by the petitioner,BAIL APPLN. 1097/2026 Page 1 of 9
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alongwith co-accused Vikas Yadav.
b. After compliance with Section 42 of the NDPS Act, at about 10:35
AM, two persons carrying bags on their shoulders, were identified
by the secret informer near the gate of Ramlila Maidan, Janakpuri.
Both persons were apprehended and were identified as the present
petitioner and co-accused Vikas Yadav.
c. Notices under Section 50 NDPS Act were duly served upon them,
and their legal rights were explained. Both accused declined the
offer to be searched before a Gazetted Officer.
d. During search, packets containing leafy, seedy, grassy, and smelly
substance were recovered.
e. The samples were drawn in accordance with Section 52A of the
NDPS Act, and the FSL report confirmed the substance to be
Ganja.
f. 14.792 Kg Ganja was recovered from the petitioner, and 6.228 Kg
Ganja was recovered from co-accused Vikas Yadav. Thus, the total
recovery was of 21.020 Kg Ganja.
g. Based on the above, the said FIR was registered, and both the
accused were arrested.
h. During their personal search, two train tickets dated 09.12.2024,
from Simri Bakhtiyarpur Bihar to Anand Vihar Terminal, New
Delhi, were recovered.
i. During investigation, CDR analysis was conducted, which revealed
continuous telephonic communication between the petitioner and
co-accused Vikas Yadav. Investigation also revealed that both
accused travelled together.
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j. A chargesheet has been filed, and the matter is pending at the stage
of prosecution evidence.
k. Bail application filed by the co-accused Vikas Yadav [BAIl
APPLN 2679/2025] has already been dismissed by this Court vide
order dated 27.08.2025.
4. The Nominal Roll reflects that, as of 29.03.2026, the petitioner had
been in judicial custody for a period of 1 year 3 months and 20 days. He
has thus now been in custody for a period of over 1 year 7 months.
5. The petitioner’s latest bail application was dismissed by the Special
Court vide order dated 27.02.2026 on the ground that the quantity
recovered was commercial in nature, and subject to the rigours of Section
37 of the NDPS Act. The argument that grounds of arrest had not been
supplied was also rejected.
6. Mr. Kumar submits that, even if the prosecution case is accepted at
its highest, the total recovery, after clubbing, is only 21.020 kg of the
alleged contraband, which is marginally above the commercial quantity
of Ganja [20kgs]. He submits that the Seizure Memo itself records that
the recovered material comprised of “उनमे से प ीदार, बीजयु , बदबूदार,
घासनुमा पदाथ बरामद आ”, which can be translated to ‘leafy, seed-
bearing, smelly, grass-like substance’. Thus, the recovered material does
not, in its entirety, fall within the statutory definition of Ganja under the
NDPS Act. He further submits that the entire recovered substance was
weighed, alongwith leaves and stalks, which do not constitute Ganja
within the meaning of Section 2(iii)(b) of the NDPS Act. In support of
this submission, learned counsel places reliance on the decisions of the
BAIL APPLN. 1097/2026 Page 3 of 9
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Coordinate Benches of this Court in Ravina Kumari v. the State (NCT of
Delhi)1 and Ashok Kumar v. State Govt. of NCT of Delhi2, as well as a
judgment of this Court in Manjay Kumar v. State NCT of Delhi3.
7. Mr. Kumar further submits that the petitioner has no prior criminal
antecedents. He submits that the petitioner has remained in judicial
custody for over 1 year and 7 months, and charges have already been
framed. The matter is presently pending at the stage of prosecution
evidence. Out of a total of 23 prosecution witnesses, only 2 witnesses
have been examined thus far. In these circumstances, the trial is not likely
to conclude in the near future.
8. Mr. Chauhan, on the other hand, submits that the FSL report has
already been received, which confirms that the sampled contraband is
“ganja” within the meaning of the NDPS Act. The quantity of ganja
seized being over 20 kg, he submits that the rigours of Section 37 of the
NDPS Act would apply. Mr. Chauhan also submits that this Court has
already dismissed a regular bail application filed by co-accused Vikas
Yadav vide order dated 27.08.2025 in BAIL APPLN. 2679/2025.
9. The definition of “ganja” as provided in Section 2(iii)(b) of the
Act, reads as follows:
“(b) ganja, that is, the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant
(excluding the seeds and leaves when not accompanied by the tops), by
whatever name they may be known or designated;”
10. In the present case, the Seizure Memo dated 10.12.2024 records
1
BAIL APPLN. 1256/2024, decided on 20.09.2024 [hereinafter, “Ravina Kumari”].
2
BAIL APPLN. 2962/2025 and connected matter, decided on 21.11.2025 [hereinafter, “Ashok
Kumar”].
3
BAIL APPLN. 4206/2025 and connected matter, decided on 19.03.2026 [hereinafter, “Manjay
Kumar”].
BAIL APPLN. 1097/2026 Page 4 of 9
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that the bag contained “leafy, seed-bearing, smelly, grass-like substance”,
which appeared to be ganja by smell and sight. The FSL report dated
13.12.2024 found the substance to be “Ganja (Cannabis)”.
11. The order/judgments of this Court, cited by Mr. Kumar, deal with
similar situations where the seized substance comprise a mixture of
“flowering buds and fruiting tops”, as well as other materials like leaves,
stems, seeds, and stalk. The judgment in Ravina Kumari analyses the
definition of “ganja” as follows:
“17. From the definition, it is evident that flowering buds and fruiting
tops of the cannabis plant would be covered under section 2 (iii)(b) but
merely leaves /seeds and stalks would not form a part of the definition
of “Ganja” unless accompanied by the flowering and fruiting tops.
18. This can be represented accurately by the below Venn diagram:-
19. Thus, the intention of the Legislature appears to be clear that in
case of Ganja, if it is merely Category A i.e. a homogenous mixture of
flowering buds and fruiting tops, then the same would fall within the
meaning of “Cannabis”, however, if it is merely Category B i.e. a
homogenous mixture of seeds/leaves/stalks without the fruiting tops
and buds, then the same would not attract the provisions of the NDPS
Act.
20. Though the position with respect to homogenous mixtures i.e.
Category A & B is clear, there is often a conundrum surrounding the
quantification of Category C, i.e. the overlap between Category A and
Category B constituting the heterogenous mixtures which include both
the flowering tops and fruiting buds, along with the stems/ leaves and
seed.
21. From the framework of the entire NDPS Act and a reading of S. 2
BAIL APPLN. 1097/2026 Page 5 of 9
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(iii)(b), it emerges that if the material seized is a heterogenous
mixture/Category C, constituting of Category A mixed with Category
B, the placebo material such as stalks/leaves/stems (Category B) would
not constitute an actual part of the drug and only the actual content
and weight of the narcotic drug (Category A) would be relevant for
determining whether it would constitute small quantity or commercial
quantity.
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
26. Pertinently, the recovered quantity of about 24.145 Kg was just
4.145 kgs more than the commercial quantity. Since, the entire
substance including stems/stalks and dried leaves were weighed
together without quantifying the weight of the flowering or fruiting
tops, the quantity of ‘Ganja’ seized from the Applicant may be less than
commercial quantity so as to attract Section 20 of the NDPS Act. The
weight of actual Ganja recovered is a matter of trial.
27. It has been consistently held that if there is a prima facie
discrepancy in what was seized and what was analysed and weighed
and there are reasonable grounds to believe that the petitioner is not
guilty of offences dealing in commercial quantity. Consequently, the
rigors of Section 37 of the NDPS Act, 1985 for grant of regular bail,
would not become applicable as has been held in the case of Ibrahim
Khwaja Miya Sayyed (Supra).
28. In the case of Suresh Kumar (Supra), the Coordinate Bench of this
Court gave benefit to the accused under Section 20 (b) (C) to 20
(b)(ii)(B) by observing that the weight of the contraband was not
precise and the actual quantity of Ganja seized could not be
determined because the FSL reflected that seeds, which do not come
within the definition of Ganja, were weighed along with the flowering
and fruiting tops. Thus, when there is a doubt on the actual amount of
recovery of contraband, then this unexplained discrepancy would
result in a benefit accruing in favour of the bail applicant.
29. Similar observations have been made in the case of Rajesh Sharma
(Supra), Bettanayaka (Supra), Ratanlal (Supra) and Ratnesh (Supra).
30. In light of the above discussion, it is settled that if there is the
discrepancy in weight, as in the present case, the same would be a
matter of trial.”
12. The same view was taken in Ashok Kumar and followed in Manjay
Kumar.
13. Applying the binding judgment of this Court in Ravina Kumari to
the facts of the present case, it is evident that the materials seized were
BAIL APPLN. 1097/2026 Page 6 of 9
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not comprised only of “flowering or fruiting tops”, as the Seizure Memo
itself refers to “leafy, seed-bearing, smelly, grass-like substance”. The
weight of the contraband is 21.020 Kgs, which is only marginally in
excess of the threshold of commercial quantity of Ganja [20 Kgs and
above]. In a similar situation, this Court in Ravina Kumari and Ashok
Kumar granted bail, holding that the application of Section 37 of the
NDPS Act was rendered doubtful. In Manjay Kumar also, this aspect was
referred to, in addition to a finding that the sampling procedure adopted
was prima facie not in consonance with the requirement of the Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Seizure, Storage, Sampling and
Disposal) Rules, 2022.
14. In view of the above decisions, it follows that the weight of the
actual contraband, as statutorily defined – i.e., the “flowering and fruiting
tops” alone – may well be less than the commercial quantity of 20 Kgs.
This casts a doubt on the applicability of Section 37 of NDPS Act itself.
15. Mr. Chauhan’s reliance on the order of this Court rejecting the bail
application of the co-accused also does not persuade me. A substantial
period has lapsed since the said order was passed, almost eleven months
ago. Moreover, the contention regarding the statutory definition of Ganja
under the NDPS Act, which has been specifically urged in the present
case, was neither raised nor considered in the said order.
16. The petitioner has now remained in judicial custody for over 1 year
and 7 months, and charges have already been framed. The matter is at the
stage of prosecution evidence, and only 2 witnesses have been examined
so far, out of a total of 23 witnesses. In these circumstances, the trial is
not likely to conclude in the near future.
BAIL APPLN. 1097/2026 Page 7 of 9
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17. Having regard to the above factors, it is directed that the petitioner
be released on bail in connection with FIR No. 654/2024, dated
10.12.2024, registered at P.S. Janak Puri, Delhi, under Sections 20/29 of
the NDPS Act, subject to furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.
25,000/-, with one surety in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the
concerned Trial Court/Duty Magistrate, and further subject to the
following conditions:
a. The petitioner shall appear before the Special Court on each and
every date of hearing.
b. The petitioner shall ordinarily reside at the address as per prison
records, and shall not change the address without informing the
concerned Investigating Officer [“IO”]/Station House Officer
[“SHO”].
c. The petitioner shall furnish his mobile number to the concerned
IO/SHO, and shall ensure that the said mobile number remains
operational and switched on at all times. The mobile number shall
not be changed, nor shall the phone be switched off, without prior
intimation to the IO/SHO.
d. The petitioner shall not, directly or indirectly, contact, nor visit, nor
offer any inducement, threat, or promise to any of the prosecution
witnesses or other persons acquainted with the facts of the case.
e. The petitioner shall not, directly or indirectly, tamper with
evidence nor otherwise indulge in any act or omission that would
prejudice the proceedings in the pending trial.
f. The petitioner shall not commit any offence during the pendency of
the proceedings.
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18. The bail application is disposed of in terms of the above.
19. It is clarified that the observations made herein are solely for the
purpose of adjudication of the present bail application, and shall not be
construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case, nor shall
they prejudice the rights and contentions of the parties at any stage of the
proceedings.
20. A copy of this order be sent to the concerned Jail Superintendent
for information and necessary compliance.
PRATEEK JALAN, J
JULY 21, 2026
‘B/AD’/
BAIL APPLN. 1097/2026 Page 9 of 9
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