Authority: High Court of Gujarat at Ahmedabad

Order Date: 12/08/2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Applicant Krunal Suresh Patel vs. Union of India (Respondent 1) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, DRI, Zonal Unit, Ahmedabad (Respondent 2), with the State also appearing as a respondent.
  • Offence: Accused under FIR No. D/RI/AZU/GI-02/ENQ-01/NDPS/2024, Special NDPS Case No. 46 of 2024, for violations of Sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 27‑A, 28 & 29 read with Section 8(c) of the NDPS Act, 1985.
  • Allegations: The company Megashri Agri Pharma held a licence to manufacture Hydroxylimine Hydrochloride, a precursor to Ketamine. Prosecutors allege the firm manufactured Ketamine itself and exported it to Thailand. A shipment dispatched by Megashri Agri Pharma Cham Private Limited was intercepted at Ahmedabad Air Cargo Complex and found to contain Ketamine.
  • Role of Applicant: Patel was employed as a Chemist at Megashri Agri Pharma. The prosecution contended he was aware of and directly involved in the manufacturing process and the conspiracy to export the contraband drug.
  • Bail Application: Filed under Section 439 of the IPC for regular bail after chargesheet. The applicant argued lack of knowledge, improper storage of seized material contrary to Section 55 of the NDPS Act, and that the substance could have chemically converted to Ketamine during storage.
  • Respondent Arguments: The Union of India/DRI argued Patel’s B.Sc. Chemistry qualification and chemist position implied knowledge of the illicit activity. The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offence.
  • Court Findings: The court observed that Patel was involved in the conspiracy, had received the manufacturing process from co‑accused, and was directly linked to the drug‑racket. The quantity involved was deemed commercial, invoking the rigours of Section 37 of the NDPS Act.

Final Outcome

  • The High Court dismissed the regular bail application, ordering that the applicant remain in custody pending further trial proceedings.

Topics: NDPS Act, Drug Trafficking, Bail Dismissal