Sarifuddin Sk @ Bulbul v. State Of West Bengal

June 28, 2023 AD -14 Ct. 34 SG CRR 2321 of 2023 Sarifuddin Sk. @ Bulbul -versus- State of West Bengal Mr. Arnab Chatterjee Mr. J.I. Hossain Ms. P. Bose Mr. K. Mondal.

... for the petitioner Mr. Anwar Hossain Ms. Manisha Sharma.

...for the State.

The petitioner is directed to serve a copy of the revisional application upon Ms. Sharma, learned advocate who ordinarily appears on behalf of the State. Her appointment may be regularised by the concerned authorities.

Learned advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody since 24th October, 2021, i.e. for about 20 months.

In view of the detention of the petitioner, the anxiety expressed by the petitioner seems to be justified. It has been submitted that the charge-sheet was submitted on March, 2022, charge framed on May, 2022 and till date out of 15 witnesses so proposed to be examined by the prosecution, two witnesses have been examined.

Having considered the petitioner being in custody for about 20 months, I direct that the learned trial court would take steps so that the trial is concluded within a reasonable period of time.

No unnecessary adjournment should be granted to either of the parties.

Learned Public Prosecutor conducting the case would ensure regarding the availability of materials, exhibits and documents on the next date fixed when the witnesses are present.

Learned trial court is directed to fix a schedule consisting of three dates and such schedule be fixed at least once in every 45 days so that the trial is concluded within a reasonable period of time. From 12 departmental witnesses as pointed out by the learned advocate for the petitioner, in case any of them are reluctant to appear or are creating disturbance or stretching time for appearance before the court, learned trial court would immediately communicate with the concerned SP who is under obligation to maintain a register for progress of NDPS cases. All the stakeholders would cooperate with the trial to conclude the trial at the earliest.

With the aforesaid observations, CRR 2321 of 2023 is disposed of.

Pending application, if any, is consequently disposed of.

All parties shall act on the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court. Urgent certified copies of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties upon compliance of all requisite formalities.

( Tirthankar Ghosh, J. )