Firu Yadav vs State Of Chhattisgarh

This is the first bail application seeking for grant of bail to the Applicant who is in jail since 22.02.2018 in connection with Crime No. 98 of 2018

registered at Police Station Patharia, Distt. Mungeli, for the offence punishable under Section 20(B) of the NDPS Act.

As per prosecution case, the applicant on the date of incident was found to be in possession of 20.430 KG of Ganja. The applicant is said to have

taking the said contraband in a Maruti Van (Omni) which was registered in the name of father of the present applicant.

Learned Counsel for the applicant submits that it is a case where the present applicant has been falsely implicated in the case. That the entire

prosecution case itself is surrounded with large number of contradictions and omissions. The procedure adopted by the prosecution in the course of

collection, seizure and weighing of the contraband also has not been properly adhered to. Referring to charge sheet it is submitted that the dates

mentioned in the case diary would itself show that there is discrepancy so far as date and time in respect of proceeding drawn by the investigating

agency is concerned. Likewise, it was also the contention of the applicant that the entire prosecution case stands collapsed only on the ground that the

sample of the contraband seized has not been sealed. Neither is there any Panchnama prepared while sealing the contraband. There is also dispute so

far as the actual weight of contraband seized inasmuch in the charge sheet the contraband seized is shown as 20.430 KG whereas before the

executive magistrate when the contraband was weighted it showed to be 19.750 KG. Thus, for all these discrepancies, omissions and contradictions

the applicant be released on bail.

The State counsel opposing the application submits that so far as discrepancy in respect of date is concerned, the same is a clerical error on

account of fact that the investigation started on the intervening night of 21-22 February, 2018 and therefore discrepancy arose and at one place in a

subsequent proceeding the previous day's date has been reflected. So far as difference in weight is concerned, there is no huge difference in the

weight which has been reflected in the case diary and the weight reflected at the time of weighting the contraband before the executive magistrate,

and therefore the same cannot be said to be a grave error.

The State counsel fairly admits that seal Panchnama and sealing of the sample collected from the contraband seized is not reflected in the case

diary. However, he submits that merely because the samples have not been sealed by itself should not give an advantageous position to the applicant

for the reason that contraband was seized from the exclusive possession of the appellant who was driving the vehicle and from where the contraband

was recovered, and thus prayed for rejection of the bail application.

Having heard the contentions on either side and on perusal of records, this court finds that there appears to be a discrepancy so far as weighment

of the contraband is concerned. According to prosecution, at the time of seizure it was 20.430 KG, however, before the executive magistrate the

weight of contraband is reflected as 19.750 KG. The difference as such is not so simple which can be ignored. The prosecution has not been able to

give proper explanation as to the discrepancy so far as weight of contraband is concerned. Likewise, there does not appear any explanation so far as

the samples not being sealed and non availability of seal Panchanama is concerned. If the samples collected from the spot itself is not sealed and that

there is no seal Panchnama prepared by the prosecution, the entire prosecution case itself would be substantially prejudiced on this ground alone. All

these discrepancies gives a great element of doubt on the prosecution story. Thus, this Court is of the opinion that the present is a fit case where the

Applicant can be enlarged on bail.

Accordingly, the application for grant of bail is allowed. It is directed that the Applicant shall be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond

for a sum of Rs.20,000/- with one surety of the like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned Trial Court for his appearance as and when directed.