STATE OF H.P. Vs. KHARAK BAHADUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) State has appealed against the judgment dated 20.06.2014 of the learned Special Judge, Kullu, passed in Session trial No. 120 of 2013 (290 of 2013), titled as State vs. Kharak Bahadur , challenging the acquittal of respondent Kharak Bahadur (hereinafter referred to as the 'Accused'), who was charged for having committed offence under Section 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act .

(2.) Vide order dated 17.12.2014, this Court ordered issuance of bailable warrant to secure the presence of the accused. The said bailable warrant was received back unexecuted with the report that the accused was not found in the given address and there is no clue about his present whereabouts.

(3.) Thereafter, vide order dated 06.05.2015, the State was directed to take fresh steps for the service of the accused and this exercise continued till 28.03.2016, on which date the learned Additional Advocate General under instructions from the Superintendent of Police concerned stated before this Court that it was difficult to ascertain the latest address of the respondent, who otherwise is a citizen of Nepal and the matter was adjourned by six weeks for taking appropriate action.