Pune: In a significant development in the drug manufacturing case involving alleged trafficker Lalit Patil, the High Court has approved bail for eight accused individuals.

The court's decision, led by Justice Gauri Godse, was based on the incomplete procedure of sample submission by the police.

The Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Crime Branch had seized 20 kilograms of Mephedrone (MD) in Khed Taluka on October 7, 2020.

Further investigations revealed that the accused had produced a substantial quantity of MD—132 kilograms—at a facility in Ranjangaon and an additional 10-15 kilograms in Mahad, Raigad district. Following these findings, authorities arrested 22 individuals, including Lalit Patil.

During this period, Lalit Patil was undergoing medical treatment at Sassoon Hospital. The investigation also identified the involvement of a Nigerian national.

The eight individuals granted bail are Kiran Kale, Afzal Sunsara, Manoj Palande, Parashuram Jogalear, Ram Gurbani, Kuldeep Indalkar, Rishikesh Mishra, and Rakesh Khanivadekar.

Bail applications were filed on behalf of the accused by legal representatives, including Advocates Sandeep Bali, Bhavesh Thakur, Kanishk Jayant, Sana Rais Khan, Ayaz Khan, Hrishikesh Mundargi, and Raviraj Parmane.

As per the legal procedure, after a drug seizure, one sample must be submitted to the court, and the other to the forensic laboratory for analysis.

However, the police failed to submit the sample to the forensic laboratory before the bail order was issued. Advocate Sandeep Bali argued that the investigation remained incomplete due to this lapse, making the accused eligible for bail.

The High Court accepted this argument, resulting in the release of the accused on bail.