Simranjit Singh @ Simma v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

Sr. No. 210 CRM-M-3655-2020 Date of decision : 14.10.2020 Simranjit Singh @ Simma ..... Petitioner

VERSUS

State of Punjab ..... Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK SIBAL

Present:

Mr.S.S.Gill, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr.Jagmohan Ghumman, DAG, Punjab.

******* DEEPAK SIBAL, J. (ORAL) Case taken up through video conferencing.

The present petition has been filed under Section 439 Cr.P.C. for the grant of regular bail in FIR No.27 dated 15.03.2019, registered under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short, the 'NDPS Act') at Police Station Sadar Rupnagar, District Rupnagar. Seeking regular bail for the petitioner learned counsel submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case; he has been in custody since 15.03.2019; he is not involved in any other case under the NDPS Act and that since eleven prosecution witnesses remain to be examined his trial is likely to take a long time to conclude.

Learned State counsel opposes the grant of bail to the petitioner on the ground that the petitioner has been found in illegal possession of 85 kgs poppy husk.

The petitioner has been in custody since 15.03.2019; he is not involved in any other case under the NDPS Act and in his trial eleven prosecution witnesses still remain to be examined therefore the same is likely to take a long time to conclude especially in the present circumstances when the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

CRM-M-3655-2020 [ 2 ] In view of the above, the present case is considered to be a fit one in which the petitioner be directed to be released on regular bail. Resultantly, subject to the satisfaction of the CJM/Duty Magistrate, Rupnagar the petitioner is directed to be released on bail.

It is clarified that the above observations have been made only for the limited purpose of deciding the present regular bail application and the same would not be construed to be an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. 14.10.2020 [ DEEPAK SIBAL ] shamsher JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes / No Whether reportable : Yes / No