Ram Prakash vs Narcotics Control Bureau

Sandeep Sharma, J

Status report/reply in terms of order dated 7.4.2021 is on record. Learned senior counsel for the respondent Narcotics Control Bureau states that only one prosecution witness remains to be examined and, for that purpose, case has been ordered to be listed on 20.5.2021.

Having taken note of the fact that only one prosecution witness remains to be examined, this Court sees no reason to accede to the prayer made in the instant petition for grant of bail, at this stage.

Faced with the aforesaid situation, learned Counsel appearing for the petitioners seeks permission to withdraw the present petition with liberty to file afresh at an appropriate stage.

Ordered accordingly.

Having taken note of the fact that the petitioner is behind the bars for more than four years and only one prosecution witness remains to be examined, this Court hopes and trusts that learned trial Court would make all out efforts to conclude the trial on or before 15.6.2021. Learned senior counsel appearing for the respondent Narcotics Control Bureau undertakes before this Court to ensure that the remaining witness, in any eventuality, is produced before learned trial Court on 20.5.2021, enabling learned trial court to record the statement of aforesaid witness and conclude the trial well within the time stipulated by this Court.

Needless to say, this Court apart from issuing directions on judicial side, has been also directing learned Courts below on administrative side to expeditiously conclude trials of under-trials, who are behind bars for considerable period, so that their freedom is not curtailed for an indefinite period. Learned Counsel appearing for the parties undertake to apprise learned trial Court with regard to passing of instant judgment, enabling it to do the needful within the time stipulated above.