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SATYEN VAIDYA
Suraj Singh – Appellant
Versus
State of Himachal Pradesh – Respondent
JUDGMENT :
SATYEN VAIDYA, J.
1. Petitioner is an accused in case FIR No. 122/2019, dated 09.11.2019, registered under Section 20 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Act (for short ‘ND&PS’ Act), at Police Station, Padhar, District Mandi, H.P. Petitioner is in custody since 09.11.2019.
2. Petitioner is facing trial for offences under Section 20 of ND&PS Act in pursuance to challan filed by respondent. The allegation against petitioner is that on 09.11.2019, at about 1:00 pm near Fagni, he was found carrying a blue colour bag in his right hand, from which 1.344 Kgs of ‘Charas’ was recovered.
3. Petitioner has now prayed for grant of bail on the ground that his constitutional right of expeditious disposal of trial has been infringed. As per petitioner, he is in custody for more than three years now and the trial has not concluded, rather, it is progressing at snails pace.
4. In its status report dated 09.12.2022, respondent has submitted that the prosecution has cited eighteen witnesses in support of its case. Six witnesses remain to be examined.
5. Learned Additional Advocate General has opposed the prayer of the petitioner, on the ground that Section 37 of ND&PS Act, has applica
Length of custody undergone by the appellant, in Court view the case for bail is made out
Length of custody undergone by the appellant, in Court view the case for bail is made out
Constitutional guarantee of expeditious trial cannot be diluted by applying rigors of Section 37 of ND&PS Act in perpetuity.
Constitutional guarantee of expeditious trial cannot be diluted by applying rigors of Section 37 of ND&PS Act in perpetuity.
Constitutional guarantee of expeditious trial cannot be diluted by applying rigors of Section 37 of ND&PS Act in perpetuity.
Provision of Section 37 of Act, be construed to have same efficacy throughout pendency of trial, notwithstanding, period of custody of accused, especially, when it is weighed against his fundamental ....
Without expressing any opinion on merits or demerits of rival submissions and considering facts and circumstances on record, in Court view, case for bail is made out.
The fundamental right to expeditious trial cannot be diluted by statutory provisions such as Section 37 of the ND&PS Act, especially in cases of prolonged pre-trial incarceration.
Constitutional guarantee of expeditious trial cannot be diluted by applying rigors of Section 37 of ND&Ps Act in perpetuity.
Bail – Constitutional guarantee of expeditious trial cannot be diluted by applying rigors of Section 37 of NDPs Act in perpetuity.
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