ITEM NO.5 COURT NO.3 SECTION II-C S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.)

No. 18601/2025 [Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 20-08-2025 in CRLOP No. 16884/2025 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras]

JAMALUDDIN Petitioner(s)

VERSUS THE UNION OF INDIA Respondent(s)

Date : 23-02-2026 This petition was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE J.K. MAHESHWARI HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ATUL S. CHANDURKAR For Petitioner(s) :

Mr. Vishal Sinha, Adv.

Mr. K. Paari Vendhan, AOR For Respondent(s) :

Mr. Gurmeet Singh Makker, AOR Ms. Aastha Singh, Adv.

Ms. Mili Baxi, Adv.

Mr. Vinayak Sharma, Adv.

Mr. Rajat Nair, Adv.

UPON hearing the counsel NIDHI AHUJA Date: 2026.02.23 Reason:

the Court made the following

O R D E R

1) Against order of rejection of regular bail by the High Court and to seek bail, the present special leave petition has been filed. The petitioner is in custody w.e.f.27.01.2023 in connection with NDPS File No. DRI/CZU/VIII/48/ENQ/INT-02/2023 on the file of Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Chennai, in CC No. 971 of 2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 20(b) (ii)(C), 23, 28 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

2) After hearing learned counsel for the parties and considering the fact that charges have been framed on 13.03.2024 and despite the directions of the High Court issued on 20.08.2025, out of 14, only 01 witness has been examined though a period of six months has elapsed; however, delay in trial cannot be ruled out and possibility of conclusion of trial at an early date is not possible. The accused has, by this time, undergone a custody of more than three years. Considering all these aspects, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, we deem it appropriate to release the petitioner on bail.

3) Accordingly, we direct to release the petitioner on bail on furnishing the suitable bail bonds and sureties and on such other terms and conditions as may be deemed fit by the trial Court.

4) Petitioner to abide all the conditions as imposed and shall regularly attend the trial until exempted by the Court. Violation, if any, may give a cause to take recourse as permissible and the trial Court is at liberty to do the needful.

5) Accordingly, and in view of the foregoing, the special leave petition stands allowed. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

(NIDHI AHUJA) (NAND KISHOR)

DEPUTY REGISTRAR ASSISTANT REGISTRAR