MUKESH THAKUR Vs. STATE OF H.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed the present petition for seeking regular bail in F.I.R. No. 112 of 2024, dtd. 25/9/2024, registered in Police Station Palampur, for the commission of offences punishable under Ss. 20 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).

(2.) It has been asserted that, as per the prosecution, the police intercepted a car, which was being driven by Amar Singh, and the petitioner was sitting on the passenger seat. The police checked the car and found 1.412 kgs of charas concealed in a chamber behind the left headlight of the vehicle. The petitioner is innocent. No recovery was effected from him. The vehicle was registered in the name of the father of the co-accused. The story put forth by the prosecution does not inspire confidence. The of petitioner would abide by the terms and conditions that the Court may impose. Hence, it was prayed that the present petition rt be allowed and the petitioner be released on bail.

(3.) The petition is opposed by filing a status report asserting that police had set up a naka on 25/9/2024 at about 12:30 AM at Chadiyar Chowk. The vehicle bearing registration No. HP66-3489 came from Baijnath at about 3:40 am. The police signalled the driver to stop the vehicle. The driver stopped the vehicle and identified himself as Amar Singh. The petitioner was sitting on the passenger seat, and he identified himself as Mukesh Thakur. The police checked the vehicle in the presence of an independent witness and Constable Dev Raj and recovered four packets concealed behind the front headlight. These were checked and found to contain 1.374 kgs of charas. The police arrested the occupants of the vehicle and seized the charas. The charas was sent to the SFSL, Junga and as per the report of analysis, it was found to be an abstract of cannabis and a sample of charas. The charge sheet was filed before the Court on 24/3/2025, and the matter was listed for recording the statements of prosecution witnesses on 19/12/2025. Hence, the status report.