JUDGMENT

Alka Sarin, J. (Oral), - Heard through video conferencing.

2. This is the third petition under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for grant of interim bail to the petitioner in FIR No. 322 dated 02.11.2017 under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) registered at Police Station Kotwali, Kapurthala, District Kapurthala.

3. Interim bail has been prayed for on the ground that the marriage of the petitioner's niece has been fixed for 04.04.2021 and the petitioner being real uncle (Mama) is required to perform certain marriage ceremonies.

Notice of motion.

4. On the asking of the Court, Mr. Ramandeep Sandhu, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab has joined the session through video conferencing and accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State of Punjab.

5. Learned counsel for the State, on instructions from SI-Avtar Singh, has pointed out that earlier the Trial Court vide order dated 07.12.2017 had granted interim bail to the petitioner awaiting the chemical examination report. On 07.01.2019, when the challan was presented, the petitioner absented himself and was declared a proclaimed offender on 05.03.2020 and was eve