Judgment

Mr. Harkesh Manuja, J.

The petitioner, by way of present petition filed under Section 439 Cr.P.C., seeks grant of regular bail pending trial in case bearing FIR No. 31 dated 04.03.2022, under Section 15 of NDPS Act, 1985, registered at Police Station Sadar Patiala, District Patiala, wherein he was implicated against the alleged recovery of 280 kgs. of poppy husk.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody since 04.03.2022 while the co-accused-Gurjeet Singh @ Gurjit Singh @ Sodhi (owner / driver of the tuck) has already been granted the concession of regular bail by this Court vide order dated 19.04.2023 passed in CRM-M-17172-2023; thus, prayer is for bail on parity.

3. Learned State Counsel vehemently opposes the prayer for grant of regular bail to the petitioner while referring to the huge recovery of contraband involved in the present FIR, besides the involvement of the petitioner in two other cases under the provisions of IPC.

4. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and gone through the paper-book.

5. In the present case, the investigation already stands concluded with the filing of challan followed by framing of charges; however,