In a significant order that reinforces reformative justice, the Rajasthan High Court granted bail to Shivsingh Meena, an accused under the NDPS Act, with an extraordinary condition: to serve the nation’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for two hours every day over a period of two months.
The bench of Justice Sameer Jain passed this order on June 13, 2025, while hearing S.B. Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 4435/2025, filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Meena was arrested in connection with FIR No. 124/2025, lodged at Police Station Kho Nagoriyan, Jaipur, for offences under Sections 8 and 21 of the NDPS Act. It was submitted by the defense that Meena, aged around 40 years, is the sole breadwinner of his family. The charge sheet had already been filed, and the recovered contraband weighed 605 grams — less than the prescribed commercial quantity under the law.
Read also:- Delhi HC Seeks Government’s Reply on Petrol Pumps' Plea Against ELV Fuel Supply Penalties
Taking these submissions into account, the Court stated:
“Considering that the accused-applicant is the sole bread earner and the contraband recovered is below the commercial quantity, the bail application deserves to be allowed.”
However, the court did not stop at a standard bail grant. In a move to promote reintegration and social responsibility, the judge extended the concept of ‘community service’ as introduced in the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Read also:- Centre Notifies Unified Waqf Rules 2025 for Online Portal, Property Documentation and Welfare Provisions
“As an extended interpretation of the provisions of ‘community service’ as enshrined under the Bhartiya Nayay Sanhita, and as a reformative approach to re-include the accused-applicant back in the society with a better vision, aim and zeal in life, this court deems it fit to impose an ancillary condition,” Justice Sameer Jain noted.
Accordingly, the court directed that:
“The accused-applicant shall contribute to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – initiative of the Government, for a period of two months from the date of enlarging on bail, on two hours per day basis, as an honorary work, under the supervision and directions of the Station House Officer (SHO) and local municipal authorities.”
Title: Shivsingh Meena v State of Rajasthan