Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 1661 UK
Judgement Date : 2 August, 2025
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I.A. No.2 of 2023 (Bail Application)
In
CRLA No.588 of 2023
Hon'ble Alok Mahra, J.
Mr. S.K. Mandal, Advocate for the applicant.
Mr. Sandeep Sharma and Mr. Bhaskar Chandra Joshi, A.G.A. for the State of Uttarakhand.
2. This Appeal has been preferred against the judgment & order dated 14.09.2022 passed by learned Sessions Judge/Special Judge (N.D.P.S. Act), Bageshwar in Sessions Trial No.31 of 2019, whereby the appellant has been convicted under Section 8 read with Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of N.D.P.S. Act and was awarded punishment of ten years rigorous imprisonment with fine of ₹1,00,000/- and, in default of payment of fine, he was sentenced to undergo two years additional imprisonment. The appellant has sought his release on bail.
3. Heard learned counsel for the parties on the bail application moved on behalf of appellant/applicant.
4. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that, as per the case of prosecution, appellant was apprehended on 14.02.2019 at 09:23 a.m. from Kapkot-Baradi Bypass Road and 544 gms. of Charas was allegedly recovered from the possession of the applicant. He submits that, after taking samples of 50- 50 gms., the amount of alleged contraband deposited in the Malkhana on 15.02.2019 is 0.447 gms and 50 gms. of alleged contraband was kept in the plastic box, which was deposited in the Malkhana. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that even if it is assumed that the alleged Charas was recovered from the possession of the appellant, then also the said quantity is a small quantity and maximum punishment of one year could have been imposed upon the appellant for carrying the said quantity of the contraband. It is further submitted by learned counsel for the appellant/applicant that the appellant/ applicant is in jail since 14.09.2022 and has spent more than two and a half years in jail.
5. Per contra, learned State Counsel submitted that admittedly the entry in Malkhana Register refers to deposit of 0.447 gms. of Charas, but since 544 gms. of Charas was recovered from the possession of the applicant and, after taking samples of 50-50 gms., the amount of alleged contraband deposited in the Malkhana on 15.02.2019 is 0.447 gms and 50 gms. of alleged contraband was kept in the plastic box, which was deposited in the Malkhana, therefore, he has contended that the entry in the Malkhana Register of 0.447 gms. of the contraband is purely a human error. He submits that appellant has been convicted after trial, based on reliable and believable evidence, therefore, he is not entitled to bail.
6. Having considered the rival submissions of learned counsel for the parties, this Court is of the view that appellant has shown vital description and this fact has not been considered while convicting the appellant and since the appellant has already spent more than two and a half years under incarceration, he is entitled to be released on bail. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed.
7. Let the appellant-Kishan Singh be released on bail during the pendency of Appeal, on his executing a personal bond and furnishing two sureties, each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of Court concerned, subject to the following conditions:
a) The appellant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of this case;
b) The appellant shall not leave the country without prior permission of this Court;
c) The appellant shall deposit his Passport with the Investigating Officer.
The Passport may only be returned by the order of this Court. In case, appellant does not have Passport, he shall give an undertaking to that effect to the Investigating Officer.
It is clarified that if the appellant misuses or violates any of the conditions, imposed upon him, the prosecution shall be at liberty to move the Court seeking cancellation of the bail.
8. List this Appeal for final hearing in due course.
(Alok Mahra, J.) 02.08.2025 Arpan
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