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(2021) Law Today Live Doc. Id. 15804
Decided on: 05.01.2021
Present:
Mr. Vikas Bishnoi, Advocate, for the petitioner.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985), Sections 15 and 27-A -- Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Sections 323, 506 and 34 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 439 -- NDPS case – Regular bail – Disclosure statement -- Petitioner has been nominated as accused on disclosure statement made by co-accused -- Petitioner in custody since 09.09.2020 -- Challan has been presented but charge has not been framed, thus consequential trial is going to take time -- Considering the role assigned to the petitioner also considering duration of the custody of the petitioner, the petition, as such, is allowed.
(Para 6-8)
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ARCHANA PURI, J. –
1. The matter has been taken up through video conferencing in the light of COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Petitioner has filed this second petition under Section 439 Cr.P.C. for grant of regular bail in case FIR No.102 dated 21.07.2020 under Section 22(c) of the NDPS Act (Sections 15 and 27-A of NDPS Act added later on), registered at Police Station Jakhal, District Fatehabad.
3. As per version of the prosecution, on 21.07.2020, Lakhbir @ Lakha and Rani, while going on motorcycle, were apprehended by the police party and 1000 tablets of Tramadol Hydrochloride, total weighing 422 grams were recovered from the bag carried by Rani, who was pillion rider of the motorcycle. Subsequently, in their disclosure statements, both the aforesaid co-accused had disclosed that they had purchased the tablets from Dharmender, who thereafter, had also made disclosure statement, thereby stating about having purchased the intoxicant tablets from Kuldeep-present petitioner.
4. Now, it is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He has not been named in the FIR. Rather, he has no concern with the alleged recovery. He also submits that petitioner is in custody since 09.09.2020. As such, a prayer has been made for grant of regular bail.
5. Notice of motion.
6. Ms. Harpreet Kaur, AAG, Haryana, accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State. However, learned State counsel resisted the claim for grant of regular bail. She submits that challan has already been presented and he is also involved in another case bearing FIR No.118 dated 29.06.2017 under Sections 323, 506 and 34 IPC, registered at Police Station Jakhal, District Fatehabad and petitioner is facing trial in the aforesaid case. In these circumstances, a prayer has been made for dismissal of the bail petition.
7. Be that as it may be. However, the fact remains that the present petitioner has been nominated as accused, subsequently, in view of the disclosure statement made by two co-accused, who were intercepted at the spot and thereafter, even statement so made by the person, from whom the co-accused intercepted at the spot, had purchased the intoxicant tablets and it was in pursuance to the disclosure statement so made by Dharmender that the present petitioner has been nominated in the present case.
8. The petitioner is in custody since 09.09.2020. Even though, challan has been presented but charge has not been framed. Thus, consequential trial is going to take time.
9. Thus, considering the role assigned to the petitioner also considering duration of the custody of the petitioner, the present petition, as such, is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail subject to his furnishing personal/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate, concerned.
Petition allowed.
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