Judgment

Mr. Vikas Bahl, J.

This is the third petition filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in FIR No.44 dated 15.06.2022, under Sections 15 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, at Police Station Khanauri, District Sangrur.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is in custody since 15.06.2022 and investigation is complete and challan has been presented and there are 17 prosecution witnesses, out of which, 11 witnesses are yet to be examined and thus, the conclusion of trial is likely to take time. It is further submitted that the present petitioner is not involved in any other case under the NDPS Act and that the previous bail application of the petitioner was dismissed as withdrawn at that stage on 04.07.2023 and even thereafter, the trial has not made any progress, thus, entitling the present petitioner to file the present bail application. It has further been submitted that keeping in view the length of the custody of the petitioner, he deserves the concession of regular bail, as any further incarceration would be violative of the right of the petitioner enshrined under Articl