In cases under the NDPS Act, excessive trial delays and flagrant procedural non-compliance, such as unjustified delays in FSL sample submission, can override the stringent requirements of Section 37, favoring the grant of bail to uphold the constitutional right to personal liberty and a fair trial process.

Order

20/04/2026

The instant second application for bail under Section 483 of BNSS (439 of Cr.P.C.) has been filed by the petitioner who has been arrested in the present matter. The requisite details of the matter are tabulated herein below:

The 1st application filed on behalf of petitioner i.e S.B Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 4000/2025 was dismissed as not pressed vide order dated 24.11.2025 passed by this court, however, with the liberty to the petitioner to file fresh bail application after recording of the statement of Seizure Officer-Ganga Prasad. After rejection of first bail application, the statement of Seizure Officer- Ganga Prasad has been recorded as PW-3. Hence, this second application for bail has been preferred.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is contended that although a recovery of 105 grams of narcotic contraband Mephedrone (M.D.) is allegedly effected from the petitioner, the mandatory provisions of the NDPS Act have not been complied with which vitiates the recovery. It is further submitted that there are material contradictions in the prosecution case, particularly in the cross-examination of the seizing officer, who has admitted mandatory non-compliance of Section 42 of the NDPS Act and absence of independent witnesses. The relevant portion of statement of PW-3- Ganga Prasad is reproduced hereinbelow:

“जिरह द्वारा वकील श्री नंदपाल सिंह मुलजिम देवीलाल :- हम थाने सेकितने बजे रवाने हुये थे , समय याद नहीं है। का र्यवाही के बाद रात को करीबन 2 एएम बजे थाने गये थे। हमारे पा स सरकारी वाहन था। यह कहना सही हैकि चालक ने लॉगबुक भी भरी थी। यह कहना सही हैकि मुखबिर की सूचना थाने में नहीं मिली थी। हमें गश्त के दौरान धानता गांव में मुख बिर की सूचना मिली थी। मुखबिर ने मुझे टेलीफो निक सूचना से उक्त्त मादक पदार्थबाबत सूचना दी थी। मुखबिर का फोन 08.45 बजे के आ सपास आया था। हम जब रेड देने गये तब मुखबिर धानता से बरामदगीस्थल तक साथ था। मैं मैन मुखबिर से आज दिन तक नहीं मिला। यह कहना सही हैकि मुझे मुखबिर की सूचना वाया पुलिसकर्मी के मिली थी। यह कहना सही हैकि मुखबिर नेजिस पुलिसकर्मी को उक्त मादक पदार्थ बाबत सूचना दी उस पुलिसकर्मी ने मुखबिर सूचना को धारा 42(2) एनडीपीएस एक्ट के तहत फर्दके रूप में अभिलिखित नहीं किया। यह कहना सही है कि मुखबिर नेसीधे मुझेसूचना नहीं दी थी। यह कहना सही हैकि मुख्य मुखबिर की को “ ईसूचना इस प्रत्रावली में नहीं है।”

It is further submitted that the alleged recovery of contraband was stated to be affected on 22.06.2024 whereas samples were sent for the FSL on 15.07.2024, after an inordinate and unjustified delay of 23 days. He has also submitted that Clause 1.13 of Standing Order No.1/1988 dated 15.03.1988, mandates that samples drawn ought to have been sent for FSL examination within 72 hours from recovery.

It is also argued that co-accused Ramesh Kumar has already been enlarged on bail by this Court in S.B. Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 8871/2024 and the case of the present petitioner is on similar footing than that of the co-accused Ramesh Kumar. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed, the petitioner is a young boy of 21 years old who is in custody since 23.06.2024 (1 year, 9 months and 28 days). It is further submitted that out of total 15 prosecution witnesses, only 4 witnesses have been examined so far and the trial is likely to take considerable time to conclude.

In support of his contention, learned counsel for the petitioner placed reliance on the judgment rendered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Rabi Prakash Vs. State of Orisa (Leave to Appeal (Criminal) No.4169/2023 and Mohd Muslim @ Hussain Vs. State (NCT of Delhi) in Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No(s).915 of 2023.

Learned counsel has further placed reliance on the judgment of Honb’le Supreme Court in the case of Balwind