K'taka HC denies bail to arrested man for possessing commercial quantity of drugs
Bengaluru, Sep 3: The Karnataka High Court has denied bail to a man, who is alleged to be a drug peddler, as he was caught with commercial quantities of banned narcotic substances.
He has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in May this year for the offence.
The bench of Justice K Natarajan said 27-year-old Rajesh A, a resident of Chamarajpet in Bengaluru, could not claim parity with two other accused in the case who were granted bail because unlike him, they were not caught with commercial quantities of banned substances.
The Kumaraswamy Layout police had arrested Rajesh, who works as a warehouse in-charge at a pizza outlet, along with another accused on May 22.
It was alleged that he was selling drugs to college students, IT/BT employees and others. Five kilograms of ganja, 260 grams of hashish oil and 20 LSD strips were recovered from the duo.
Based on the statements given by them, two other persons were arrested. Of the two others arrested, one was released on bail as he was in a hospital when arrested and did not have any drugs on him.
The second person, who allegedly supplied drugs to Rajesh, was also granted bail as he had only 130 grams of ganja and 30 grams of hashish oil on him when caught.
Denying bail to Rajesh in the judgement passed on August 22, the court said, "This petitioner is caught red-handed along with accused No.1 and found with 0.91 grams of LSD strips which is 19 times of commercial quantity and 5 kgs of ganja...230 grams of hashish oil. It goes to show that they are in possession of the commercial quantity of the drugs."
Dismissing the bail petition, the court said, "The investigation is still under progress. Accused No. 4 is still absconding. Considering this aspect, I am of the view that this petitioner is not entitled for bail until pending investigation."
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Annamalai questions Naxals surrender policy in Karnataka
Udupi (Karnataka), Jan 11: Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has raised concerns over the Naxal surrender and rehabilitation policy in Karnataka, questioning its effectiveness and transparency.
Annamalai, who had served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Udupi between January 2015 and August 2016 and as SP Chikkamagaluru, considered a hotbed of Naxals in Karnataka, in 2018, had convened a press conference in Udupi on Saturday.
According to him, while the policy aims to reintegrate former Naxals into mainstream society, doubts persist regarding its implementation.
He pointed out that surrender and encounter cases have sparked widespread speculation, with many questioning the circumstances under which these events unfolded.
"The recent Naxals surrenders, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, raise several questions. The process, which involves surrenders in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, appears to have been made too easy for Naxals," he said.
Annamalai also questioned the credibility of the surrender process, stating that the government's approach could create doubts about the policy's integrity. He cited the case of Vikram Gowda's encounter, which has triggered concerns among locals.
"There are reports that the Chief Minister himself was involved in the surrender process, and weapons were displayed in a remote forested location. The public is finding it difficult to believe this narrative," he added.
The remarks come amid growing debates on the handling of Naxal issues in Karnataka, with political leaders and activists weighing in on the government's approach to surrender.
Annamalai was in Udupi to launch "Samvidhana Badalayisisddu Yaaru?" (Who changed the Constitution?), authored by Vikas Kumar P, at an event organised by the Citizens for Social Justice today.
Taking to 'X' post the event, Annamalai wrote, "This book highlights the numerous amendments made during the Congress regime, which sought to undermine our citizens' fundamental rights, civic liberties, and even the very meaning of the Preamble."
He had also posted on X that he met today and received blessings from the current Paryaya Swami, His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Sugunendra Theerth Swamiji, of Jagadguru Sri Madhwaachaarya Moola Mahaa Samsthaanam, Shri Puthige Matha, Udupi.
