Mumbai, October 6, 2022 – Sachin Vasant Desai, convicted in a Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act case, has been granted bail pending the outcome of his criminal appeal. The Special Court for NDPS Act, Greater Bombay, ordered Desai’s release on conditions, including the deposit of a portion of the fine imposed by the trial court.
Desai, aged 52 and a former service member, was convicted and subsequently filed Criminal Appeal No. 281/2022. Along with the appeal, he filed an application seeking suspension of his sentence. The court allowed the application and directed him to execute a bond of Rs. 2,00,000 with a surety of the like amount.
Court Proceedings and Decision:
The current bail application, Criminal Bail Application No. 1197/2022, was filed as a procedural step to formally release Desai on bail following the suspension of his sentence.
After hearing arguments from Ld. Adv. Mr. Sameer Adangale for Desai and Ld. APP Mr. P.J. Tarange for the State of Maharashtra, Additional Sessions Judge Shri V.G. Raghuwanshi granted the bail application.
Conditions of Bail:
Judge Raghuwanshi ordered Desai’s release on the following conditions:
- Desai must execute a bond of Rs. 2,00,000 with one or more solvent sureties of the like amount.
- He must deposit 50% of the fine amount imposed by the trial court within eight weeks from the date of the order.
- He must appear before the court regularly.
Implications:
This order allows Sachin Vasant Desai to be released from custody while his appeal against the conviction is pending. The suspension of the sentence and the grant of bail indicate that the court found sufficient grounds to permit the appellant to remain free until his appeal is adjudicated.
The condition requiring Desai to deposit 50% of the fine amount highlights the court’s effort to ensure compliance with the financial penalties imposed by the trial court while balancing the appellant’s right to seek an appeal.
The order was dictated on September 30, 2022, and signed on October 6, 2022.