Satnam Singh @ Lovely v. State Of Punjab

-1CRM-M-35433 of 2019

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-35433 of 2019 Date of Decision: 05.03.2020 Satnam Singh @ Lovely

...Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab ....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAMENDRA JAIN Present:- Mr. P.S. Sekhon, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Pawan Sharda, Sr. DAG, Punjab.

RAMENDRA JAIN, J. (ORAL) Through this petition under Section 439 Cr.P.C. prayer has been made for grant of regular bail to petitioner - Satnam Singh @ Lovely - in case FIR No.187 dated 02.08.2018 registered under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 at Police Station Daba, District Ludhiana.

Learned counsel inter alia contends that on 02.08.2018 police recovered 5000 intoxicant tablets of Trio-SR, besides 60 intoxicant nips of ONEREX 100 ml from vehicle bearing registration No.PB-10CG-1252. Police on finding owner of the said vehicle, co-accused Ashok Kumar was joined in the investigation, who on his interrogation disclosed that one Bittu had borrowed aforesaid vehicle from him. Pursuant thereto, Bittu was joined in the interrogation. Bittu further named one Bhupinder Kumar. Consequently, Bhupinder Kumar was joined in the investigation, who on RAVINDER SINGH 2020.03.07 14:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

-2CRM-M-35433 of 2019 interrogation disclosed that he had given vehicle to the petitioner. On this sequence of events, petitioner was apprehended and is in custody since 24.07.2019. Bhupinder Kumar examined by the prosecution as PW4 did not support the prosecution. Thus, he was got declared hostile. Hence, prima facie there is no evidence as on date against the petitioner. Conclusion of trial may take a sufficient long time. No useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in jail any more.

On the other hand, learned State counsel vehemently opposed the grant of regular bail to the petitioner.

Considering overall facts and circumstances, but without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the petition is allowed. Consequently, petitioner - Satnam Singh @ Lovely - is ordered to be released on bail during pendency of trial, if not required in any other case, on his furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of Trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned.

(RAMENDRA JAIN) March 05, 2020 JUDGE R.S.

Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No RAVINDER SINGH 2020.03.07 14:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document