Aashif v. State of U.P. Thru. Prin.Secy. Home

Court No. - 27 Case :- CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 13485 of 2023 Applicant :- Aashif Opposite Party :- State Of U.P. Thru. Prin.Secy. Home Counsel for Applicant :- Manoj Kumar Singh Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A. Hon'ble Brij Raj Singh,J.

¶1Heard Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, learned counsel for the accused-applicant as well as Shri Ganesh Datt Bhatt learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record.

¶2This bail application has been filed seeking release of the accused/applicant Aashif on bail, who is involved in Case Crime No. 233 of 2023 under Section 8/20 N.D.P.S Act, Police Station Gilaula, District Shrawasti.

¶3Learned counsel for the applicant while pressing the bail application submitted that 500 grams of contraband (Charas) is alleged to be recovered from the possession of the applicant. He further submitted that Section 50 of the N.D.P.S. Act has also not been complied in letter and spirit and the right to be searched before the gazetted ofÏcer or magistrate has not been communicated as the same was required by established principle of law. It is further submitted that no serious efforts have been made by the police to procure independent public witness and the absence of independent public witness casts a cloud of suspicion over the whole prosecution story and even if the case of the prosecution is believed, only 500 grams of Charas is shown to have been recovered from the possession of the applicant, which is much below the commercial quantity i.e. 1000 grams.

¶4It is further submitted by learned counsel for applicant that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and no contraband as claimed by the prosecution has been recovered from the possession of the applicant. It is further submitted by learned counsel for applicant that the applicant has no previous criminal history and he is languishing in jail since 23.09.2023.

¶5Learned A.G.A has opposed the prayer of bail of the applicant and has submitted that the applicant has committed the crime therefore, he is not entitled for bail.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, perusing the record, also considering the nature of allegations, arguments advanced by the learned counsel for the parties, the argument that only 500 grams of Charas is alleged to be recovered from the possession of the applicant which is below commercial quantity, the argument that Sections 50 of the N.D.P.S Act is not complied with, the argument that there is no independent eye witness of the said recovery, thus, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, I find it to be a fit case for grant of bail.

¶7Accordingly, the bail application is allowed.

¶8Let the applicant Aashif be released on bail in the above case crime number on his furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of Court concerned with the following conditions :-

(i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law.

(ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufÏcient cause, the trial court may proceed against her under Section 229-A of the Indian Penal Code.

(iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence proclamation under Section 82 Cr.P.C. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 174-A of the Indian Penal Code.

(iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case,

(ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufÏcient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law.

¶9It is made clear that the observations made in this order are limited to the purpose of determination of this bail application and will in no way be construed as an expression on the merits of the case. The Trial Court shall be absolutely free to arrive at its independent conclusions on the basis of evidence led unaffected by anything in this order. Order Date :- 9.11.2023 DiVYa/Rajneesh High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench