Ajim Khan v. The State of Assam

ORDER

06.01.2023

Heard Mr. M. Ahmed, learned counsel for the accused and Ms. S.H. Bora, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the State respondent. Page No.# 2/3

¶2This application under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, is preferred by accused, namely, Ajim Khan, who has been languishing in jail hazot since 26.12.2022, in connection with the Basistha P.S. Case No. 1035/2022, under Sections 21[a]/29 of the NDPS Act, for granting bail.

¶3The aforementioned case has been registered on the basis of one FIR lodged by SI Mukunda Sarmah, on 04.12.2022, to the effect that acting on a tip off they have apprehended 3 persons, namely, Sri Vicky Sonar; Sri Sanjay Kumar Shah; and Sri Dipankar Bhuyan at Kerakuchi, behind the Hockey Stadium and on conducting search, they have recovered suspected heroin, weighing 3.12 grams [without container] and seized the same preparing seizure list in presence of witnesses.

¶4Mr. Ahmed, learned counsel for the accused submits that nothing has been recovered from the present accused and the quantity of contraband substance recovered from the co-accused is of less than intermediate quantity and the accused is behind the bar for last 11 days, and therefore, it is contended to enlarge the present accused on bail.

¶5On the other hand, Ms. Bora, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, submits that the contraband substance was recovered from the possession of the 3 accused persons namely, Sri Vicky Sonar; Sri Sanjay Kumar Shah; and Sri Dipankar Bhuyan and the quantity of contraband substance recovered from them was 3.12 grams only, which is less than intermediate quantity.

¶6Having heard the submission of learned Advocates for both sides, I have carefully gone through the petition and the materials placed on record.

¶7It appears that the accused was arrested on 26.12.2022, and since then he has been languishing in the jail hajot. Further, it appears that nothing has been recovered from the possession of the present accused. Besides, the quantity of contraband substance recovered from the possession of the co-accused, is admittedly Page No.# 3/3 of small quantity i.e. 3.12 grams.

¶8Considering above and also the period of detention, and the nature of accusation and the punishment prescribed for the offence and also considering the submission of learned Advocates for both sides, this Court is of considered opinion that further custodial detention of the accused seems to be not required in the interest of investigation.

¶9Accordingly, it is provided that on furnishing a bond of Rs. 25,000/- only, with one surety of like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, NDPS Act, Kamrup [M] at Guwahati, the accused persons are enlarged on bail.

¶10In terms of above, this bail application stands disposed of. JUDGE Comparing Assistant

Page No.# 1/3 GAHC010000712023 THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) Case No. : Bail Appln./53/2023 AJIM KHAN S/O- MAJID KHAN, R/O- SILA, P.S AND DIST- BARPETA, ASSAM. PRESENTLY RESIDING AT BASISTHA CHARIALI, NOTUN BAZAR, MURGI BAZAR, C/O- NIKEL KALITA VERSUS THE STATE OF ASSAM REP. BY PP, ASSAM Advocate for the Petitioner : MR R A AHMED Advocate for the Respondent : PP, ASSAM BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ROBIN PHUKAN