ORDER

Date : 17.10.2023 Heard Mr. G. Saikia, learned counsel appearing for the accused petitioner. Also heard Mr. S. C. Keyal, learned Standing Counsel, D.R.I, assisted by Ms. R. Deka, learned counsel.

2. By this second petition under Section 439 Cr.P.C., the accused/petitioner, namely, Pranab Das, has prayed for grant of bail in connection with NDPS Case No.102/2019 arising out of NCB Crime No.09/2019 under Sections 21(c)/29 of the NDPS Act.

3. The scanned copy of case record, as called for, is placed before the Court.

4. The earlier bail application of the accused petitioner, being B.A. No. 2166/2021, was withdrawn vide order, dated 24.03.2023 and no other bail application is pending before this Court.

5. The case relates to recovery and seizure of 1077 bottles of Codeine based cough syrup from the vehicle of the accused petitioner.

6. It is noticed that the accused petitioner has been in judicial custody since

18.06.2019, i.e., for 4 years 6 months.

7. Perusal of the case record reveals that charges under Sections 21(c)/29 of the NDPS Act are framed against the accused petitioner and two others, vide order, dated 14.03.2022. However, out of eight listed prosecution witnesses, only two w