KULDEEP SINGH Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is an accused in case FIR No. 200/2020, dtd. 26/12/2020, registered under Sec. 20 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Act (for short 'ND&PS' Act), 1985, at Police Station, Chowari, District Chamba, H.P. Petitioner is in custody since January, 2020.

(2.) Petitioner is facing trial for offences under Sec. 20 of ND&PS Act in pursuance to challan filed by respondent. The allegation against petitioner is that on 26/12/2020, at about 9:00 am at place Lahru, he was found carrying a bag in his right hand, from which 1 Kg 312 Grams of 'Charas' was recovered.

(3.) Petitioner has now prayed for grant of bail on the ground that his constitutional right of expeditious disposal of trial has been infringed. As per petitioner, he is in custody for more than two years and five months now and the trial has not concluded, rather, it is progressing at snails pace.