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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Sudhir Kumar Jain, J.
Pankaj - Appellant
Versus
State - Respondent
Bail Appln. 2399 of 2022
Decided On : 02-12-2022




The court emphasized the cumulative conditions for bail under the NDPS Act, requiring reasonable grounds for believing the accused is not guilty and not likely to re-offend.

Headnote:(A) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 - Sections 20 and 37 - Bail application filed under section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for grant of bail in FIR for possession of 22 kg of ganja - Commercial quantity established through FSL report - Accused apprehended carrying 'ganja' in a vehicle - Application for bail dismissed due to seriousness of offence and potential for influencing witnesses. (Paras 1, 4, 6, 9)

(B) Bail - Conditions imposed under NDPS Act - Under section 37, conditions for grant of bail include satisfaction of the court on reasonable grounds regarding guilt and likelihood of re-offending - Both conditions must be met cumulatively, not alternatively. (Paras 7, 8)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner was apprehended on 04.11.2020 with 22 kg of ganja while in the company of a co-accused, both believed to be part of a drug syndicate. Prior bail application was dismissed due to possession of commercial quantity of narcotics.

Findings of Court:
The amount recovered qualifies as a commercial quantity, and the conditions under section 37 of the NDPS Act were not satisfied, leading to the rejection of bail.

Issues: Whether there were reasonable grounds for the petitioner’s application for bail amidst charges of maintaining a drug syndicate and previous criminal involvement.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that given the nature and quantity of the narcotics recovered, along with the potential risk of flight and tampering with evidence, the conditions for granting bail were not met.

Result: Bail application dismissed.

Table of Content
1. bail application details and facts of the arrest (Para 1 , 2)
2. prior bail applications and judicial responses (Para 3 , 4)
3. arguments regarding the nature and possession of the seized substance (Para 5 , 6)
4. provisions of ndps act regarding bail conditions (Para 7)
5. court's reasoning for denying bail (Para 8 , 9)

JUDGMENT

Sudhir Kumar Jain, J.

1. The petitioner filed present bail application under section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as "the Code") for grant of regular bail in FIR bearing No. 899/2020 dated 04.11.2020 registered under sections 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as "the NDPS Act").

2. The brief facts of the case are that on 04.11.2020 at around 2:00 PM in the afternoon, the petitioner along with co-accused Pankaj Giri was apprehended by the patrolling police on the Kanjhawala link road, Stone Market, Mangol Puri. The petitioner and co-accused were found to be carrying 22 kg and 81 kg of `ganja' respectively. The petitioner found to be carrying 22 kg of `ganja' on a TVS Scooty bearing no. DL11SW2226 and was pushing the rickshaw from behind with his leg which was being driven by the co-accused Pankaj Giri carrying 81 kg of `ganja'. The petitioner and co-accused Pankaj Giri were arrested. The charge-sheet was filed after completion of investigation under section 20 of NDPS Act on 15.04.2021 in the court of ASJ/Spl Judge, Rohini Courts, New Delhi. The cognizance was taken. The petitioner and co-accused @Pankaj Giri are in judicial custody.

3. The petitioner in bail application stated that earlier bail application under section 439 of the Code was dismissed by the Court of Shri Rakesh Kumar- IV, Additional Sessions Judge, Special Judge (NDPS), North West District, Rohini Court, Delhi vide order dated 25.07.2022 on the grounds that commercial quantity i.e 22 kg `ganja' is recovered from possession of the petitioner. The commercial quantity which was stated to be recovered was sent to FSL for forensic examination and result of which was "On physical, microscopic, chemical & TLC examination, exhibits R-1, R-3 & R-5 were found to be `ganja'.

3.1. The petitioner earlier moved an application under section 482 of the Code read with section 439 of the Code bearing no. 2399/2022 for grant of interim bail for a period of 90 days on the ground that his wife is experiencing abdominal pain, bleeding per vaginum and irregular menstrual cycles and due to which, she requires surgical intervention. This Court vide order dated 02.09.2022 granted interim bail for a period of 20 days w.e.f. 10.09.2022 to 29.09.2022 (both days inclusive) on furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court subject to the conditions.

3.2. As per the charge-sheet the petitioner and co-accused Pankaj Giri were carrying two white sacks and when they were stopped by the special staff/outer district and enquired about the sacks, the petitioner and co-accused Pankaj Giri, did not answer properly and thereafter they were thoroughly checked. The substance/material stated to be found in two sacks was appearing to be Tobacco like substance and after being weighed, it turned out to be 22 kg in scooty and two sacks which were in rickshaw weighing 40 and 41 kg each. Thereafter, the samples of the seized material was sent to FSL for examination, the results of FSL was that the sacks contain `ganja'.

4. The respondent/State filed the Status Report dated 07.10.2022 under the signature of Insp. Ajmer Singh, Special Staff/Outer District Delhi wherein it is mentioned that the petitioner had procured the recovered contraband from Rakesh resident of Mathura UP. The petitioner during the investigation was found to be the owner of the `ganja' and other co-accused Pankaj Giri was working as a carrier to the petitioner. The petitioner did not co-operate in the investiga

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