SABITRI CHETTRI Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. J.I. Nongrum, learned counsel for the petitioner who has submitted that this is an application filed with a prayer for grant of bail on behalf of the accused person Shri. Promod Chettri, who was arrested in connection with Nongpoh P.S. Case No. 51(5) 2023 under Sec. 21(b)/29 of the NDPS Act, 1985 and which case on completion of investigation and charge sheet filed, finding a prima facie case well established against the accused person, he was accordingly brought to trial before the Court of the learned Special Judge, (NDPS), Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh in Crl. (NDPS) Case No. 13 of 2023.

(2.) The learned counsel has further submitted that the background of the case is that the accused person is a Tourist Taxi driver running a Tourist Taxi bearing registration No. ML-05-Q-2749. In his daily course of work, one day, i.e. 2/5/2023, while he was waiting for passengers at the Guwahati Airport to return to Shillong, an unknown lady who introduced herself as Mercy approached him and requested him to carry a parcel to Shillong and to deliver it to one person who will come and pick it up from him. He had no knowledge whatsoever what is contained in the said parcel, but has agreed to deliver the same as instructed.

(3.) While proceeding towards Shillong on the same day, i.e. 2/5/2023, his vehicle was stopped by some police personnel at Byrnihat opposite police outpost, and on a search being conducted in his possession, the said parcel was recovered and on the contents being checked, it was found that it contained illegal contraband substances. The accused person was accordingly arrested under the relevant provision of the NDPS Act and is now lodged at the District Prisons and Correctional Home at Nongpoh.