Point of Law: Narcotic Substances - Bail granted - Nature of evidence, period of detention already undergone, unlikelihood of early conclusion of trial and also the absence of any convincing material to indicate possibility of tampering with evidence and larger mandate of Article 21 of Constitution of India

ORDER :

1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant as well as learned A.G.A. appearing for the State and perused the record.

2. This application has been filed seeking the release of the applicant on bail in Case Crime No. 0047 of 2021, u/s 8/20 of N.D.P.S. Act, 1985 (State of U.P. vs. Amir @ Bhola) P.S. Rasoolpur, District Firozabad.

3. Submission of learned counsel for the applicant is that the quantity of the contraband shown to be recovered from the possession of the applicant is 950 gram Charas which is said to be below commercial quantity. The contention is that the police has deliberately shown the amount exaggeratedly just in order to add to the gravity of the offence. It has also been pointed out that the applicant is jail since 24.02.2021. Other submissions assailing the truthfulness of the prosecution story with regard to the recovery have also been made. Further contention is that the statutory provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 have not been complied with in true letter and spirit, and therefore, the legal sanctity of the alleged recovery stands vitiated. The counsel has also tried to demonstrate the circumstances indicating the false implication of the applicant. Malice behind the prosecution has also been pleaded during the course of the arguments placed on behalf of the accused.

4. Several other submissions in order to demonstrate the falsity of the allegations made against the applicant have also been placed forth before the Court. The circumstances which, according to the counsel, led to the false implication of the accused have also been touched upon at length. It has been assured on behalf of the applicant that he is ready to cooperate with the process of law and shall faithfully make himself available before the court whenever required and is also ready to accept all the conditions which the Court may deem fit to impose upon him. It has also been pointed out that the accused is not having any criminal history and he is in jail since 24.02.2021 and that in the wake of heavy pendency of cases in the Court, there is no likelihood of any early conclusion of trial.

5. Learned A.G.A. opposed the prayer for bail.

6. After perusing the record in the light of the submissions made at the bar and after taking an overall view of all the facts and circumstances of this case, the nature of evidence, the period of detention already undergone, the unlikelihood of early conclusion of trial and also the absence of any convincing material to indicate the possibility of tampering with the evidence and larger mandate of the Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Dataram Singh vs. State of U.P. and Another, (2018) 3 SCC 22, this Court is of the view that the applicant may be enlarged on bail.

7. Let the applicant-Amir @ Bhola involved in Case Crime No. 0047 of 2021, u/s 8/20 of N.D.P.S. Act, 1985 (State of U.P. vs. Amir @ Bhola), P.S. Rasoolpur, District Firozabad, be released on bail on his executing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned on the following conditions:-

(1) The applicant will not make any attempt to tamper with the prosecution evidence in any manner whatsoever.

(2) The applicant will personally appear on each and every date fixed in the court below and his personal presence shall not be exempted unless the court itself deems it fit to do so in the interest of justice.

(3) The applicant shall cooperate in the trial sincerely without seeking any adjournment.

(4) The applicant shall not indulge in any criminal activity or commission of any crime after being released on bail.

(5) The party shall file computer generated copy of such order downloaded from the official website of High Court Allahabad or certified copy issued from the Registry of the High Court, Allahabad.

(6) The concerned Court/Authority/Official shall verify the authenticity of such computerized copy of t