On 2. 1992, the Inspector of Police, Rule 1 Police Station, Mambalam, Madras, along with other police personnel, was available near the bus stand at Mambalam doing bandol bust duty, in connection with some labour unrest, prevailing in that area. At about 17-20 hours, the petitioner herein, namely, P.R.Muthu, was stated to be found loitering near the bus stand under suspicious circumstances. The said Inspector of Police, suspecting some foul-play, was stated to have interrogated him and also searched his person. Such a search, it is said, revealed his having been found in possession of 750 grams of ganja. Immediately, it is said, he was taken into custody and a case in Cr.No.411 of 1982 of R-1 Police Station, Mambalam had been registered for the alleged offence under Sec.20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (in short ‘the Act’). Lately, on the same day, it is said, he was remanded to judicial custody by the XVIII Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet, Madras for a total period of fifteen days that is to say, from 4th to 18th of February, 1992.

2. On 5th February, 1992, it is said, he moved an application in Crl.M.P.No.463 of 1992 for his release o