DEEP RAJ Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is an accused in case FIR No. 14/2021, dtd. 27/3/2021, registered under Ss. 20 and 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Act (for short 'ND&PS' Act), at Police Station Sainj, District Kullu, H.P. Petitioner is in custody since 30/3/2021.

(2.) Petitioner is facing trial for offences under Ss. 20 and 29 of ND&PS Act in pursuance to challan filed by respondent. The allegation against petitioner is that on 27/3/2021, police party headed by HC Anupam Kumar No. 13 had laid 'Naka 'at place Larji. At about 4:30 am, a vehicle bearing No. HP-24B-6994 (Tata Tigor) was stopped for checking. Another Vehicle HP-24C-6968 (Pick Up) followed and stopped behind the Tata Tigor car. Two person alighted from vehicle bearing No. HP-24B-6994 and ran towards river. Vehicle H.P. 24-C-6968 ( Pick Up) was occupied by its driver Vinod Kumar. On search of vehicle H.P-24C-6968 "Charas" weighing 1 Kg and 555 grams was recovered. Petitioner is alleged to be one of the occupants of vehicle No. HP-24B-6994, who has fled from the scene. It is alleged against him that contraband belonged to petitioner and other occupant of vehicle No. HP-24B-6968.

(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 approximately since one year and ten months now and the trial has not concluded, rather, it is progressing at snails pace.