STATE OF MANIPUR Vs. NGAIRANGBAM BROJENDRO SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Considering the commonality of the facts and laws involved, and hence the issues, the present revision petitions, which are directed against the grant of bail by the Special Court (NDPS), Manipur, are heard together and disposed of by this common judgment and order.

(2.) It is the case of the State that on 24.2.2013 at about 7 a.m. on receipt of certain reliable information that some vehicles plying along the National Highway 102 from Imphal to Moreh were carrying illegal drugs to be transported to Myanmar via Pallel, a mobile check post was set up for frisking and checking of suspect vehicles on the road. At around 7.30 a.m., one white Bolero B/R No.ASOlBA-8699 with a sticker "ARMY" written and pasted on the front glass of the vehicle was stopped for frisking near the Pallel Police Station New Building Gate. On conducting search of the vehicle in presence of one Gazetted Officer along with two civilian independent witnesses, as many as 8 packets containing thousands of strips of pseudoephedrine tablets were found inside the vehicle, valued about Rs. 6(six) crores. Accordingly, the said tablets were seized in presence of witnesses by observing necessary formalities. The driver of the vehicle, namely, Lunkhohao Haokip and another person accompanying him, Zangminthang Tuboi, were arrested on the spot.

(3.) The said two FIRs were registered on the same day after two more vehicles were seized one after another around the same place which were also carrying pseudoephedrine tablets of very large quantities.