Rajasthan High Court - Jodhpur
Pramod Lal vs State on 2 December, 2021
Bench: Vijay Bishnoi
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT
JODHPUR
S.B. Criminal Misc. 2nd Suspension Of Sentence Application
(Appeal) No. 596/2020
Pramod Lal S/o Shri Rang Lal, Aged About 47 Years, By Caste
Arora, R/o Ward No. 14, Hanumangarh Junction, Tehsil And
District Hanumangarh. (Presently lodged in Central Jail,
Bikaner).
----Petitioner
Versus
State, Through P.p.
----Respondent
For Petitioner(s) : Mr. K.L. Vishnoi
For Respondent(s) : Mr. Arun Kumar, PP
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIJAY BISHNOI
Judgment / Order
02/12/2021
Heard.
Learned counsel for the applicant has submitted that
as per the prosecution story, around 3000 tablets
containing narcotic substance were recovered at the
instance of the applicant. It is further submitted that the
applicant was the owner of one Thakkar Medical store
and he has having a valid license issued in his favour. It
is also submitted that the trial court has convicted and
sentenced the applicant under the NDPS Act though the
prosecution has failed to prove that the charges against
the petitioner of possessing the tablets containing
narcotic substance above commercial quantity. Learned
counsel has also submitted that the petitioner was
(2 of 4) [SOSA-596/2020]
arrested on 27.10.2016 and during trial he was on bail. It
is further submitted that the applicant is in custody from
the last 2 years and hearing of the appeal is likely to take
time in near future.
Learned Public Prosecutor has opposed the
application for suspension of sentences.
Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused
the material available on record.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide judgment dated
1.12.2021 passed in Ashim @ Asim Kumar Haranath
Bhattacharya @ Asim Harinath Bhattacharya @
Aseem Kumar Bhattacharya Vs. National
Investigation Agency (Criminal Appeal
No.1525/2021) has held as under :-
"13. Deprivation of personal liberty
without ensuring speedy trial is not
consistent with Article 21 of the
Constitution of India. While deprivation of
personal liberty for some period may not be
avoidable, period of deprivation pending
trial/appeal cannot be unduly long. At the
same time, timely delivery of justice is part
of human rights and denial of speedy
justice is a threat to public confidence in the
administration of justice."
Having considered the overall facts and
circumstances of the case and keeping in view the
judgment passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in
Ashim's case (supra), without commenting on the
(3 of 4) [SOSA-596/2020]
merits of the case, this Court is inclined to suspend the
sentences awarded to the applicant.
Accordingly, this second application for suspension of
sentences is allowed and it is directed that the sentences
awarded to appellant/s - Pramod Lal S/o Shri Rang Lal by
the Special Judge, NDPS Act Cases, Hanumangarh vide
judgment dated 27.11.2019 in Sessions Case No.1/17
shall remain suspended till final disposal of the appeal
provided he/she/they execute(s) a personal bond in the
sum of Rs.50,000/- along with two sound and solvent
sureties in the sum of Rs.25,000/- each to the
satisfaction of the trial court for his/her/their appearance
before this Court on 18.1.2022 and whenever called upon
to do so till the disposal of the appeal on the conditions
indicated below:-
(1) That he/she/they will appear before the trial
court in the month of January of every year till the
appeal is decided.
(2) That if the applicant(s) changes the place of
residence, he/she/they will give in writing
his/her/their changed address to the trial court as
well as to the counsel in the High Court.
(3) Similarly, if the sureties change their
address(s), they will give in writing their changed
address(s) to the trial court.
(4 of 4) [SOSA-596/2020]
The learned trial court shall keep the record of
attendance of the accused-applicant(s) in a separate file.
Such file be registered as Criminal Misc. Case related to
original case in which the accused-applicant(s) was/were
tried and convicted. A copy of this order shall also be
placed in that file for ready reference. Criminal Misc. file
shall not be taken into account for statistical purpose
relating to pendency and disposal of cases in the trial
court. In case the said accused-applicant(s) does not
appear before the trial court, the learned trial Judge shall
report the matter to the High Court for cancellation of
bail.
(VIJAY BISHNOI),J
81-msrathore/-
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