Bhaskar Khatnani v. Narcotics Control Bureau

$~9 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + BAIL APPLN. 1479/2020 BHASKAR KHATNANI .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Yogesh Saxena, Advocate.

versus NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU ....Respondent Through:

Mr. Rajesh Manchanda, Special PP for NCB.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAJMI WAZIRI

O R D E R

% 06.07.2020

1. The hearing was conducted through video conferencing.

2. The petitioner seeks Interim Bail in Case No. SC/81/19 registered under sections 8, 21, 23 and 29 of NDPS Act, 1985, to attend to his wife who is due to undergo a medical operation fixed for 10.07.2020. at Nirmal Hospital, Sultanpuri, New Delhi for renal ailments. According to the learned Special PP for the respondent, albeit the medical intervention is scheduled for the said date but before that the patient would possibly be required to undergo a Covid-19 test. It is a matter of record that the petitioner was earlier granted bail thrice over and he has not misused the said liberty.

3. In view of the above, the petitioner is granted Interim Bail for a period four weeks from the date of his release, on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 1,00,000/- with a surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Duty MM/Jail Superintendent concerned, subject to the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner shall keep the IO informed of his whereabouts on alternate days between 11 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. through a video call and if a video call is not possible, he may send an SMS apropos his whereabouts, as well as "drop-a-pin" on location app to indicate his location. The IOs mobile number shall be shared with the petitioner.

(ii) The petitioner shall not leave NCT of Delhi.

(iii) The petitioner shall not do anything that would prejudice the case of the prosecution against him.

(iv) The petitioner shall provide his contact number to the IO concerned, and shall ensure that such number is reachable at all times.

4. The application is disposed-off in terms of the above.

5. Nothing stated in this order shall be deemed to be an adjudication on the merits of the case. The Registry is directed to send a copy of this order to the Jail Superintendent concerned for due compliance.

6. The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. Copy of the order be also forwarded to the counsels through email. NAJMI WAZIRI, J JULY 06, 2020 RW