Sarat Pradhan v. State Of Odisha

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

BLAPL No.4002 of 2022 Sarat Pradhan ....

Petitioner Mr. A.R. Panda, Advocate -versusState of Odisha ....

Opposite Party Mr. G.R. Mohapatra, A.S.C.

CORAM: MR. JUSTICE S.K. PANIGRAHI

ORDER

20.05.2022 Order No.

02.

1. The matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State.

3. The petitioner is an accused in C.T. Case No.83 of 2020 arising out of G. Udayagiri P.S. Case No.49 of 2020 of the court of learned Special Judge, Baliguda for commission of offence under Sections 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the N.D.P.S. Act. He has filed this petition for bail.

4. The allegation, as narrated in the FIR, is that on 08.07.2020, getting information, the informant along with his staff intercepted Indigo eCS car having Regd. No.OR02BZ 8030 carrying three bags containing 69 Kgs 800 gram of contraband ganja. The petitioner was a driver. The police seized all the three bags.

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5. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was only driver of the vehicle. He was only carrying out the instruction of his owner. The petitioner has no knowledge about the material contained in the three packets. So, the bail petition may be allowed.

6. Learned counsel for the State opposes the bail prayer of the petitioner.

7. Considering the aforesaid submissions and the facts of the case, I am not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, the BLAPL is rejected.

8. However, the learned trial judge is directed to conclude the trial of C.T. Case No.33 of 2020 within a period of six months hence. (S.K. Panigrahi) Judge pcd