ORDER :

This second application for bail under Section 439 Cr.P.C. has been filed by the petitioner who has been arrested in connection with F.I.R. No.130/2020, registered at Police Station Rajiyasar, District Sriganganagar, for offences under Sections 8/22 and 29 of NDPS Act.

2. The first bail application of the petitioner was dismissed by this Court vide order dated 10.10.2023.

3. As per the prosecution, on 02.08.2020, during routine patrolling, team of Police Station Rajiyasar, had seen a man carrying a white coloured plastic bag. The man tried to run away from the place of incident but was nabbed by the police team. The police team recovered 900 leaves of Covidol – 100 SR Tablets containing 9000 tablets weighing 3 Kg 600 grams and 160 leaves of Alprazolam IP.5 containing 1600 tablets weighing 240 grams from a plastic bag. He was arrested on the spot.

4. Learned counsel submitted that the petitioner is in custody since 02.08.2020. It was also submitted that trial against the petitioner has commenced but in last more than 3 years and 6 months, out of total 8 cited prosecution witnesses, only 4 witnesses have been examined till date. Learned counsel submitted that the delay in trial