Balwinder Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M No.12577 of 2020 Date of Decision : 10.08.2020 Balwinder Singh .....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab .....Respondent CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDIP AHLUWALIA Present :

Mr. Surjit S. Swaich, Advocate for the Petitioner.

Mr. Harbir Sandhu, Asstt. Advocate General, Punjab for the Respondent/State.

SUDIP AHLUWALIA, J. (ORAL) The instant Petition has been filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure seeking Regular Bail on behalf of the Petitioner in case FIR No.54, dated 09.06.2019, registered under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short, 'the NDPS Act'), at Police Station Dhakoli, District S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali). 2.

The Petitioner was arrested more than 01 year ago on 09.06.2019 and has ever since remained in custody. 3.

It transpires that so far only 01 out of 16 witnesses cited in the Challan, has been examined.

4.

There is no record of Petitioner's involvement in any other case under the NDPS Act, on account of which, this Court is of the opinion that he is not likely to commit a similar offence, if released on bail, at this stage. DEEPAK KUMAR 2020.08.11 05:37 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRM-M No.12577 of 2020 -25.

In the circumstances, without commenting upon the other merits of the case and keeping in view the fact that the trial is likely to take a considerable time to conclude in view of the on-going Covid-19 Pandemic, at this stage, this Court is of the opinion that further detention of the Petitioner for an indefinite period is not justified. As such, he is ordered to be released on bail subject to the satisfaction of the Ld. Trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned.

6.

Disposed off.

August 10, 2020 (SUDIP AHLUWALIA) Dpr JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No DEEPAK KUMAR 2020.08.11 05:37 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document