G.Natarajan @ Raja v. The Intelligence Officer

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

The petitioner who was arrested by the respondent police on 11.12.2019 for the offences under Section 8(c) r/w Sections 20(b)(II), 22, 28, 29 and Section 9A r/w Section 25A of NDPS Act, punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)(B), 22(c), 28, 29 and Section 9A r/w Section 25A of NDPS Act and upon filing of final report by the respondent police, the same was taken on file in C.C.No.66 of 2020 on the file of I Additional Special Court Exclusive Trial of NDPS Act cases, Chennai, seeks bail.

2. This is the 5th bail application filed before this Court and earlier bail applications were dismissed by this Court by holding that the petitioner is in possession of contraband materials in commercial quantity.

3. The case of the prosecution is that the respondent upon information that the petitioner is involved in trafficking of 3kgs of methamphetamine, summoned the petitioner and searched his house and they seized 25kg of ephedrine 270 grams of hashish and 20 tablets of alprazolam. Hence, the case was registered as against the petitioner.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, this Court, by its order dated 10.04.2024 in Crl.O.P.No.7022 of 2024 has directed the I Additional Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under NDPS Act, Page No.1 of 3

Chennai to conclude the trial in C.C.No.66 of 2020, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. However, till date, the trial has not been concluded. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. Mr.N.P.Kumar, learned Special Public Prosecutor (NDPS) appearing for the respondent seeks time to conclude the trial in C.C.No.66 of 2020 within a period of six months.

6. Considering the fact that the seized contraband materials are commercial quantity, which attracts Section 37 of NDPS Act. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, however, since the trial has not been concluded, this Court directs the I Additional Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under NDPS Act, Chennai to conclude the trial in C.C.No.66 of 2020, within a period of six (6) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 06.06.2024 msv Page No.2 of 3

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

msv 06.06.2024 Page No.3 of 3