Amritpal Singh @ Baba v. State Of Punjab

-1CRM-M-14234 of 2020

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-14234 of 2020 Date of Decision: 23.06.2020 Amritpal Singh @ Baba

...Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab ....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAMENDRA JAIN Present:- Mr. Puneet Sharma, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Bhupinder Beniwal, AAG, Punjab.

RAMENDRA JAIN, J. (ORAL) The case has been taken up for hearing through video conferencing.

Through this petition under Section 439 Cr.P.C. prayer has been made for grant of regular bail to petitioner - Amritpal Singh @ Baba - in a case arising from FIR No.101 dated 08.06.2018 registered under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Act, 1985 at Police Station Baghapurana, District Moga.

According to the prosecution, on 08.06.2018, petitioner along with his three more accomplice on two motorcycles was apprehended with conscious possession of 200 grams of intoxicant powder containing Alprazolam salt, besides separate recoveries of contraband from his coaccused. Learned counsel inter alia contends that petitioner is in custody RAVINDER SINGH 2020.06.25 15:55 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

-2CRM-M-14234 of 2020 since 08.06.2018 i.e. since last two years. Out of total 19 prosecution witnesses, only two have been examined till date. Thus, conclusion of trial may take a sufficient long time. No useful purpose would be served by detaining the petitioner in jail any more. Out of 13 criminal cases registered against the petitioner, he has been acquitted or discharged in seven cases. In three cases, he has been granted bail. Petitioner is not involved in any other case under the NDPS Act, except the present one. On the other hand, learned State counsel vehemently opposed the grant of regular bail to the petitioner submitting that he is an habitual offender. Intoxicant powder recovered from the petitioner is double the quantity falling under the category of "commercial quantity". Having given thoughtful consideration to the rival submissions and considering the antecedents of the petitioner that he is of great criminal ilk, this Court is not inclined to grant him regular bail. Dismissed.

(RAMENDRA JAIN) June 23, 2020 JUDGE R.S.

Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No RAVINDER SINGH 2020.06.25 15:55 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document