Siraj Dafadar @ Handel Siraj v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

10.12.2020 ss Rejected C.R.M. 10161 of 2020 (Through Video Conference) In the matter of : An application for bail under section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in connection with Haroa P.S. Case No. 451 of 2018 dated 29.08.2018 under section 21(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. And In the matter of : Siraj Dafadar @ Handel Siraj Mr. Arindam Jana Mr. Samim Ahammed ... ... for the petitioner Mr. Sanjoy Bardhan Mr. Palash Chandra Majhi ... ... for the State Petitioner renews his prayer for bail. It is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that there is delay in conclusion of trial.

Learned advocate appearing for the State opposes the prayer for bail and submits that petitioner was apprehended with narcotic substance above commercial quantity. He further submits that delay is due to prevailing pandemic conditions.

Materials on record disclose recovery of narcotic substance above commercial quantity from the petitioner. Although it is contended that recovery was not witnessed by independent persons, we do not wish to enlarge the petitioner on bail at this stage as trial could not progress as per direction of this court due to prevailing pandemic conditions. Hence, the prayer for bail of the petitioner is rejected.

Trial court is directed to conclude the trial as expeditiously as possible preferably within six months from the next date fixed for recording evidence without granting unnecessary adjournment to either of the parties. The parties shall act in terms of the copy of the order downloaded from the official website of this court. (Suvra Ghosh, J.) (Joymalya Bagchi, J.)