Suryprakash Rao Madalla S/O Shri … vs U.O.I. (Narcotics Control Bureau, … on 4 August, 2026

    0
    2
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Rajasthan High Court – Jaipur

    Suryprakash Rao Madalla S/O Shri … vs U.O.I. (Narcotics Control Bureau, … on 4 August, 2026

    [2026:RJ-JP:30390]
    
            HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN
                        BENCH AT JAIPUR
    
         S.B. Criminal Misc. 3rd Suspension Of Sentence Application
                              (Appeal) No. 1278/2026
    
                                               In
    
                         S.B. Criminal Appeal No. 2012/2017
          CNR: RJHC020576382026 | URN: SOSA / 2350U / 2026
    
    Suryprakash Rao Madalla S/o Shri Chinman Naidu, Aged About
    45 Years, R/o Ankapalli, Vishakhapatanam (Andhra Pradesh) (At
    Present In Open Camp, Sanganer Jaipur)
                                                                          ----Petitioner
                                           Versus
    U.O.I. (Narcotics Control Bureau, Jodhpur Zonal Unit), Through
    Special P.P
                                                                        ----Respondent
    For Petitioner(s)            :     Mr. Vinay Pal Yadav
    For Respondent(s)            :     Mr. Tej Prakash Sharma, Special PP
    
    
    
               HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR JAIN
    
                                            Order
    
    04/08/2026
    
    

    1. The instant 3rd application for suspension of sentence is

    preferred by the appellant-applicant accused Suryprakash Rao

    SPONSORED

    Madalla S/o Shri Chinman Naidu, (hereinafter referred to ‘the

    appellant’) in pending appeal aggrieved from order of conviction

    and sentence dated 13.09.2017 in Sessions Case No.143/2015

    passed by learned Special Judge (NDPS Act Cases), Jhalawar

    whereby appellant was convicted for offence under Sections 8/20

    of NDPS Act. The maximum sentence awarded is 16 years and fine

    of ₹2,00,000/-.

    (Uploaded on 06/08/2026 at 06:22:00 PM)
    (Downloaded on 06/08/2026 at 09:10:10 PM)
    [2026:RJ-JP:30390] (2 of 7) [SOSA-1278/2026]

    2. Learned counsel for the appellant while relying upon grounds

    of appeal submitted that without observing principle of law learned

    trial court has arrived at a conclusion of conviction. He further

    submitted that learned trial court has overlooked material

    contradictions and discrepancies, which goes to root of the matter.

    He further submitted that the entire case of prosecution rests on

    testimony of interested witness and no independent witness was

    examined to corroborate the story of prosecution.

    3. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant

    submits that the appellant is in custody since his arrest on

    04.03.2015. He also submits that the appellant has already

    undergone more than 11 years against awarded sentence of 16

    years. He submits that the appellant has been charged for

    committing an offense relating to commercial quantity of

    contraband and the minimum sentence in such offense is 10 years

    and the appellant has already undergone sentence of more than

    10 years. He further submits that considering the period of

    custody, the petitioner is entitled for suspension of sentence, as

    his appeal is not likely to be heard in near future.

    4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of appellant has placed

    reliance upon judgment in case of Narcotic Control Bureau Vs.

    Lakwinder Singh : 2025 INSC 190 and Mayurresh

    Nandkumar Purohit Vs. Kaushik Manna & Anr. : 2018 CrLR

    (SC) 251 decided by Hon’ble Supreme Court and submits that on

    basis of period of custody, the accused was granted suspension of

    sentence bail in NDPS Act cases.

    5. Learned counsel has further referred order dated 09.09.2024

    in case of Rampal versus State of Rajasthan :S.B. Criminal

    (Uploaded on 06/08/2026 at 06:22:00 PM)
    (Downloaded on 06/08/2026 at 09:10:10 PM)
    [2026:RJ-JP:30390] (3 of 7) [SOSA-1278/2026]

    Misc. 2nd Suspension of Sentence Application No.

    887/2024 and order dated 09.05.2025 in Bhagwan Singh

    Vs. State of Rajasthan : S.B. Criminal Misc. Suspension of

    Sentence Application No. 238/2025 passed by this Court and

    submits that in a matters related to NDPS Act case where accused

    had undergone substantial part of sentence, then he was granted

    bail. He further referred order dated 26th April 2024 in case of

    Mukut Murari @ Mukut Behari @ Bunty Vs. State of

    Rajasthan : S.B. Criminal Misc. Suspension of Sentence

    Application No. 1272/2023 and order dated 21st March 2024 in

    case of Dharamraj Vs. Goverment Reserve Police, Kota : S.B.

    Criminal Misc. 2nd Suspension of Sentence Application No.

    1923/2023 passed by a Co-ordinate bench of this Court and

    submitted that only on basis of period of custody, the accused was

    granted suspension of sentence. He also referred order dated 11th

    August 2016 in Criminal Appeal No. 134/2011 (Mohd.

    Khokhan & anr. Vs. State of Rajasthan) and submitted that

    the appellant has strong case to succeed.

    6. Aforesaid contentions were opposed by learned Special Public

    Prosecutor but he admitted the effect that the present appellant

    has undergone more than 11 years as part of sentence and his

    appeal has not been taken up for disposal.

    7. Heard learned counsel for the appellant and learned Special

    Public Prosecutor. Perused the material placed on the record.

    8. The present appellant was convicted by learned trial Court on

    13.09.2017 and his first application for suspension of sentence

    was dismissed by this Court on 27.07.2023 observing as under:-

    “Present appellants are residents of Andhra
    Pradesh and the entire proceedings including trial

    (Uploaded on 06/08/2026 at 06:22:00 PM)
    (Downloaded on 06/08/2026 at 09:10:10 PM)
    [2026:RJ-JP:30390] (4 of 7) [SOSA-1278/2026]

    and everything were conducted in Hindi. The
    statement of DW1 (wife of Surya Prakash) was
    recorded with the help of bilingual translator.
    Similarly, learned trial court while relying upon the
    statement recorded under Section 313 Cr.P.C. also
    took care of the fact that appellants be explained
    every fact or evidence in their mother tongue. As
    far as other proceedings are concerned, this issue
    was not raised by appellants during trial, therefore,
    this is just an afterthought. Moreover, in this case,
    appellants are well represented by lawyers during
    trial.

    As regard to search and seizure proceedings
    are concerned, no doubt that same were recorded
    in Hindi as Hindi is an official language for State of
    Rajasthan. At the most, if somebody from any
    other place is not able to understand Hindi or
    English then he can be explained in other language
    but that does not mean that the language of
    documentation be changed in the language known
    to any accused. Therefore, this is not a ground
    required consideration by this court at this stage.

    In present matter, learned counsel for the
    appellants specifically raised issue of non
    observance of mandatory provisions of law and also
    highlighted legal position over the same. He also
    referred cross-examination, we have also
    considered the statement of other independent
    witnesses as referred by learned counsels but all
    these considerations can be delved into only, when
    present appellants would be heard on merits and at
    this stage it is not possible for us to opine on
    merits on any of these issues.

    We have considered the medical record of
    Surya Prakash, the record suggests that he is
    already taken care of and sufficient treatment was
    provided to him. The ailment is general in nature
    and does not require any specialized treatment at
    any specific Hospital of State. No recommendation
    of medical board is available on record for super
    specialty treatment at any other Higher center,
    therefore, this is not a sufficient ground, to enlarge
    the appellant on bail.

    In present matter, appellants were found in
    possession of huge quantity of ganja i.e. 998.100
    kg in 43 gani bags which is a commercial quantity.

    (Uploaded on 06/08/2026 at 06:22:00 PM)
    (Downloaded on 06/08/2026 at 09:10:10 PM)
    [2026:RJ-JP:30390] (5 of 7) [SOSA-1278/2026]

    Whether it was in their conscious possession or
    they were framed, again is a question depends
    upon interpretation and evaluation of evidence.”

    9. The first suspension of sentence application of the appellant

    was dismissed by this court on considering that 998.100 kg of

    ganja was recovered in the instant case. Second suspension of

    sentence application was also dismissed on 18.03.2025

    considering the judgments in case of Bharat Aambhle Vs. State

    of Chhattisgarh : 2025 INSC 78 and NCB versus Lakhwinder

    Singh (supra).

    10. Admittedly, the appeal of the appellant has not been heard

    for last several years and the period of custody is approximately

    11 years 5 months, which is more than 10 years (minimum

    sentence prescribed for said offence).

    11. In repolicy strategy of grant of bail SMWP (Criminal)

    No.04/2021 (order dated 08.05.2025) while considering the

    judgments in case of Bhagwam Rama Shinde Gosai And Ors

    vs State Of Gujarat (1999) 4 SCC 421, NCB Vs. Lakhwinder

    Singh 2025 SCC Online SC 366 and Atul vs The State Of

    Madhya Pradesh (2024) 3 SCC 363 Hon’ble Supreme Court has

    observed that when there is a fixed period of sentence, normally

    the power of suspension of sentence under Section 389 Cr.P.C.

    should be exercised liberally, unless there are exceptional

    circumstances brought on record.

    12. In case of Mayurresh Nandkumar Purohit Vs. Kaushik

    Manna & Anr. (supra), Hon’ble Supreme Court considering the

    sentence suspension of an accused convicted under the NDPS Act

    has allowed the application when the accused has undergone 6

    years out of 10 years of sentence. This Court and Co-ordinate

    (Uploaded on 06/08/2026 at 06:22:00 PM)
    (Downloaded on 06/08/2026 at 09:10:10 PM)
    [2026:RJ-JP:30390] (6 of 7) [SOSA-1278/2026]

    Bench in the cases referred hereinabove have also allowed

    applications for suspension of sentence when substantial part of

    the sentence has been undergone by the accused.

    13. Without considering the merits of the case, I am of the

    considered view that this is a fit case to consider period of custody

    as laid down in aforesaid cases as the appellant has already

    undergone substantial part of the sentence.

    14. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on merits, I am of

    considered view that it is a fit case wherein appellant can be

    enlarged on bail. The 3rd suspension of sentence application under

    Section 430 B.N.S.S. is allowed and sentence of appellant

    accused- Suryprakash Rao Madalla S/o Shri Chinman Naidu

    is suspended till disposal of appeal with the condition that he

    would executes a personal bond in the sum of ₹50,000/-with two

    sureties of ₹25,000/- each to the satisfaction of the learned trial

    Judge for his appearance in this court on 08.09.2026 and

    whenever ordered to do so till the disposal of the appeal on the

    conditions indicated below:-

    1. After release of appellant on bail, he will not

    indulge in any criminal activity and if it is found

    that he is involved in any criminal activity, the

    order shall be recalled.

    2. The appellant shall mark his attendance on any

    of the day of the month of March, June,

    September, December of every year at NCB office,

    Jaipur, till disposal of the appeal.

    (Uploaded on 06/08/2026 at 06:22:00 PM)
    (Downloaded on 06/08/2026 at 09:10:10 PM)
    [2026:RJ-JP:30390] (7 of 7) [SOSA-1278/2026]

    3. That he will appear before the trial Court in the

    month of January of every year till the appeal is

    decided.

    4. That if the applicant changes the place of

    residence, he will give in writing his changed

    address to the trial Court as well as to the counsel

    in the High Court.

    5. Similarly, if the sureties change their

    address(s),they will give in writing their changed

    address to the trial Court.

    15. Misc. Application stands disposed of.

    16. A copy of this order be sent to learned trial court through E-

    mail.

    (ASHOK KUMAR JAIN),J

    12/MR

    (Uploaded on 06/08/2026 at 06:22:00 PM)
    (Downloaded on 06/08/2026 at 09:10:10 PM)

    Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)



    Source link

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here