MANGAT RAM Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is an accused in case FIR No. 201/2021, dtd. 2/12/2021, registered under Sec. 20 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Act (for short 'ND&PS' Act), at Police Station Baijnath, District Kangra, H.P. Petitioner is in custody since 2/12/2021.

(2.) Petitioner is facing trial for offences under Sec. 20 of ND&PS Act in pursuance to challan filed by respondent. The case of the prosecution is that on 2/12/2021, at about 6:55 am, a secret information was received at Police Station Baijnath, District Kangra, H.P. that the petitioner is involved in the business of narcotic substances. On such information, the shop of the petitioner situated at Village Lohardi Bazaar was searched and during search of the shop 1 Kg 621 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 one year and six months and the trial has not concluded, rather, it is progressing at snail's pace.