Jamal Sikari @ Jamu vs State Of West Bengal

Jay Sengupta, J

This is an application seeking for an expeditious disposal of a proceeding in which a charge-sheet was submitted under Section 21 (c) of the NDPS Act.

Let a copy of this application be served upon Mr. Imran Ali and Mr. Anindya Chatterjee, learned advocates, who are present in court today and who ordinarily appear on behalf of the State. Their engagement may be regularised in due course by the competent authority of the State.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits as follows. The petitioner is an accused in this case. He is in custody since 7.10.2018 when the First Information Report was lodged. Although, charge-sheet was submitted in 2018 and the charge was framed in July 2019, till date, the trial could not be concluded. There are only 6 witnesses in this case out of which only 3 witnesses have been examined. Despite fixing of several dates for evidence, the recording of evidence is still not complete.

Learned counsel for the State submits that the State would not come in the way if a direction is passed to expedite the proceeding.

It appears that some delay has been occasioned in concluding the impugned proceeding. The petitioner is in custody for about 1110 days. Any further delay would seriously impair the petitioner's right to speedy trial.

In view of the above and in the interest of justice, I request the learned trial Court to conclude the proceeding as expeditiously as possible without granting any unnecessary adjournment to any of the parties, preferably within a period of six months from the next date of hearing.

With these observations, the revisional application is disposed of.

Urgent photostat certified copies of this judgment may be delivered to the learned Advocates for the parties, if applied for, upon compliance of all formalities.