Prabhdeep Singh Vs State of Punjab

The petitioner incarcerated in the FIR captioned above had come up before this Court under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, [BNSS], seeking regular bail.

¶17

Per Note II of the bail Petition as well as custody certificate dated 08.04.2025, the accused has the following criminal antecedents:

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Sr. No.	FIR No.	Date	Offenses	Police Station
1	44	04.03.2022	61/1/14 of Excise Act	City Patti
2	127	02.08.2023	399, 402 IPC	City Patti
3	106	2015	---	Patti
4	125	2017	---	Patti

¶19

The facts and allegations are taken from the reply filed by the State. On 07.12.2018, based on chance recovery, the Police seized 780 tablets of Tramadol from the petitioner’s possession. The Investigator claims to have complied with all the statutory requirements of the NDPS Act, 1985, and CrPC, 1973.

¶20

The petitioner's counsel prays for bail by imposing any stringent conditions and contends that further pre-trial incarceration would cause an irreversible injustice to the petitioner and their family.

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The State’s counsel opposes bail and refers to the reply.

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It would be appropriate to refer to following portion of the reply, which reads as follows:

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“ 6. Role of the petitioner

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The role of the petitioner is concerned because in the present case, 780 intoxicant tablets are alleged to have been recovered from the conscious possession of the petitioner. The report of the Chemical examiner/FSL has been received and resultant sample of the intoxicant tablets comes under ‘Tramadol Hydrochloride 98.40’. The sale of contraband recovered from the possession of the petitioner falls under the category of commercial nature.”

¶29

As per FSL report, the intoxicant tablets were found as ‘Tramadol Hydrochloride’.

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REASONING:

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The quantity allegedly involved in this case is commercial. Given this, the rigors of S. 37 of the NDPS Act apply in the present case. The petitioner must satisfy the twin conditions put in place by the Legislature under Section 37 of the NDPS Act.

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However, the petitioner is entitled to bail because Hon’ble Supreme Court had granted bail on prolonged custody in the following judicial precedents:

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1. In Shince Babu v. The State of Kerala, decided on 21 Feb 2024, MANU/SCOR/27340/2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds,

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[2]. The prosecution case is that Accused No.1 (Liju) was found travelling in a private bus from Cherthala to Arookutty and contraband MDMA, weighing 138.750 gms, was recovered from his conscious possession. The said contraband was procured by Accused No.1 with the help of Accused No.2 from Bangalore. The petitioner is nominated as Accused No.4 in the crime. He was arrested on 11.04.2022. The petitioner was granted bail by the Trial Court on 20.09.2022 but on a petition filed by the State of Kerala, challenging the bail order, the High Court cancelled the petitioner's bail on 13.06.2023. However, liberty was granted to the petitioner to apply afresh before the Sessions Court. The petitioner again applied for bail but his prayer was declined by the Trial Court on 07.07.2023. The petitioner approached the High Court but his first bail application was dismissed on 14.08.2023. His second bail application was turned down by the High Court on 09.10.2023. Meanwhile, Accused No.2 was granted bail by the High Court on 11.10.2023. Seeking parity with the co-accused, the petitioner moved third bail application, which has been rejected by the High Court vide the impugned order dated 09.11.2023.

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[3]. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and carefully perused the material placed on record.

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[4]. It may be seen from para 6 of the impugned order that the High Court, while declining bail to the petitioner, was largely influenced by the fact that a huge quantity of contraband, which

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falls in the category of 'commercial', was recovered and as such, the rigors of Section 37 of the NDPS Act are attracted. On a specific query, it is not disputed by learned State counsel that no contraband was recovered from the conscious possession of the petitioner. In such circumstances, it is difficult for us to apply the twin test of Section 37 of the NDPS Act while considering the petitioner's prayer for bail.

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[5]. Be that as it may, the petitioner is in custody since 11.04.2022 except for the period from 20.09.2022 to 27.06.2023 when he remained on bail pursuant to the order passed by the Trial Court/Sessions Court.

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[6]. It seems that the investigation is complete and the conclusion of trial will take some reasonable time. The petitioner's co-accused are already on regular bail/default bail. As per the record, there are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner.

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[7]. Taking into consideration all the attending circumstances but without expressing any views on the merits of the case, we are inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

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[8]. The petitioner is, accordingly, directed to be enlarged on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Trial Court.

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[9]. The petitioner shall remain present before the Trial Court on each and every date of hearing, failing which it shall be taken as a misuse of concession of bail granted to him today by this Court.

¶47

1. In Sohrab Khan v. The State of Madhya Pradesh, decided on 13 Aug 2024, SLP (Crl.) 7115-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Cort holds,

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The petitioner is an accused for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 8/22 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. His bail application was dismissed by the High Court. He has already undergone about one year and four months in jail. The petitioner and coaccused were found in possession of 80 grams of MD powder each of which commercial quantity is 50 grams.

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Considering the fact that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents and the entire facts and circumstances of this case, we are of the opinion that a case of bail is made out for the petitioner and therefore, the prayer of the petitioner is allowed.

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Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail forthwith on the usual terms and conditions to be decided by the concerned Court.

¶51

In Ramlal v. The State of Rajasthan, decided on 17 Sep 2024, SLP (Crl) 95102024, wherein Hon’ble Supreme Court granted bail to a first offender after one year and six months of custody who was possessing 450 grams of smack (Heroin), and the holds as follows:

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The petitioner and the other accused persons are accused for the offences punishable under Sections 8/21 & 8/29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and allegation is that 450 gram of smack has been recovered from them. The bail application of the petitioner was dismissed by the High Court. Hence, he

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approached this Court. He has already undergone about 1 year and 6 months in jail.

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Heard learned counsel for the petitioner. As per office report dated 13.09.2024, the service is deemed complete on the sole respondent-State but no one has appeared for the State. Considering the period of incarceration of the petitioner and the fact that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents, we are of the opinion that a case of bail is made out for the petitioner.

¶59

1. In Sabat Mehtab Khan v. The State of Maharashtra, decided on 03 Sep 2024, SLP (Crl) 8557-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds,

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The petitioner is an accused for the offences punishable under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and allegation is that 275 gms. and 50.01 gms of heroine has been recovered from him. His regular bail application was dismissed by the High Court. He has already undergone about 1 year six months in jail. Heard learned senior counsel/counsel for the parties. Considering the quantity of the contraband articles and the period of his incarceration, we are of the opinion that a case of bail is made out for the petitioner.

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1. In Md. Tajiur Rahaman v. The State of West Bengal, decided on 08-Nov-

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2024, SLP (Crl) 12225-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds,

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[2]. The allegations are that upon receipt of a secret information, the police conducted a raid in which the petitioner and the coaccused Rabiul Alam were arrested and 4 kgs., 920 gms of opium latex was seized.

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[4]. It is not in dispute that after filing of chargesheet and framing of charges, the trial has commenced but only examination-in-chief of P.W.1 has been completed. However, there are 12 witnesses, who are proposed to be examined by the prosecution.

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[5]. It may be mentioned that the High Court while declining bail to the petitioner has directed for conclusion of trial within one year. But it seems that regardless thereto, the trial has not

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been expedited as no effective hearing took place for the last 2/3 dates. That being so, the conclusion of trial is likely to take some reasonable time. The petitioner does not have any criminal antecedents. He has already spent one year and six months in custody. The continued incarceration of the petitioner will not serve any useful purpose.

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[6]. Taking into consideration the period spent by the petitioner in custody and the fact that the petitioner does not have any criminal antecedents, we are satisfied that the conditions prescribed under Section 37 of the NDPS Act can be relaxed at this stage.

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1. In Johnson v. State Rep by The Inspector of Police, NIB – CID, decided on

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18-Oct-2024, SLP (Crl) 9737-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds,

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[2]. The allegations are that 150 kgs. of ganja was recovered from the trunk of the petitioner’s car. The vehicle was intercepted on some secrete information while the petitioner was driving the same. The petitioner was arrested on 26.03.2021 and is in custody since then. The bail was declined primarily on the ground that a

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huge quantity of ganja, which falls in commercial category, was recovered from the conscious possession of the petitioner.

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[3]. Though, learned senior counsel for the State informs that the trial has commenced and some of the witnesses have already been examined, it seems to us that the final conclusion of the trial will take some more time.

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[4]. Taking into consideration the fact that the petitioner has already spent more than 3½ years in custody and there are no criminal antecedents, we are satisfied that the conditions of Section 37 of the NDPS Act are deemed to have been adequately met with. Consequently, but without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. He shall remain present on each and every date of hearing before the Trial Court till the trial is concluded.

¶78

1. Bhola Shikari v. The State of Chhattisgarh, decided on 11-Nov-2024, SLP (Crl) 13236-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds,

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In connection with FIR No. 150 of 2024 dated 10.03.2024, registered at Police Station-Sipat, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short ‘NDPS Act’), the petitioner was arrested on 10.03.2024, as the petitioner along with three others were found in joint possession of 21 Kgs of Ganja.

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Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and also the learned counsel appearing for the respondent-State.

¶81

It is submitted by the learned counsel appearing for the State that final report was already filed and thereafter, the Court has also framed the charges against them.

¶82

In the said circumstances and taking note of the fact that the petitioner has been in custody since 10.03.2024, we are of the considered view that this special leave petition can be disposed of ordering that the petitioner shall be released on bail, subject to the stringent terms and conditions to be imposed by the Trial Court. Ordered accordingly.

¶83

Per the custody certificate dated 08.04.2025, the petitioner is in custody for 01 year, 03 months & 20 days in this FIR. Given the drugs were medicines that attracted violation of S.22 of NDPS Act, Viz-a-viz pre-trial custody, coupled with the primafacie analysis of the nature of allegations and other factors peculiar to this case, there would be no justifiability for further pre-trial incarceration at this stage.

¶84

The prolonged incarceration, generally militates against the most precious fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and in such a situation, the conditional liberty must override the statutory embargo created under Section 37(1)(b)(ii) of the NDPS Act¹ .

¶85

1 Supreme Court of India, in Rabi Prakash v. The State of Odisha, SLP (Crl) 4169-2023, Para 4, decided on 13 July 2023

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Considering the quantity involved and the pre-trial custody, Section 37 of the NDPS Act would not be attracted.

¶91

Without commenting on the case's merits, in the facts and circumstances peculiar to this case, and for the reasons mentioned above, the petitioner makes a case for bail. This order shall come into force from the time it is uploaded on this Court's official webpage.

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CONDITIONS:

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Given above, provided the petitioner is not required in any other case, the petitioner shall be released on bail in the FIR captioned above subject to furnishing bonds to the satisfaction of the concerned Court and due to unavailability before any nearest Ilaqa Magistrate/duty Magistrate. Before accepting the surety, the concerned Court must be satisfied that if the accused fails to appear, such surety can produce the accused.

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15. While furnishing a personal bond, the petitioner shall mention the following personal identification details:

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1.	AADHAR number
2.	Passport number (If available) and when the attesting officer/court considers it appropriate or considers the accused a flight risk.
3.	Mobile number (If available)
4.	E-Mail id (If available)

¶96

This order is subject to the petitioner’s complying with the following terms.

¶97

The petitioner shall abide by all statutory bond conditions and appear before the concerned Court(s) on all dates. The petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence, influence, browbeat, pressurize, induce, threaten, or promise, directly or indirectly, any witnesses, Police officials, or any other person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case or dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Police or the Court.

¶98

Given the background of allegations against the petitioner, it becomes paramount to protect the members of society, detection squad and incapacitating the accused would be one of the primary options until the filing of the closure report or discharge, or acquittal. Consequently, it would be appropriate to restrict the possession of firearms. [This restriction is being imposed based on the preponderance of the evidence of probability and not of evidence of certainty, i.e., beyond a reasonable doubt; and as such, it is not to be construed as an intermediate sanction]. Given the nature of the allegations and the other circumstances peculiar to this case, the petitioner shall surrender all weapons, firearms, and ammunition, if any, along with the arms license to the concerned authority within fifteen days of release from prison and inform the Investigator of the compliance. However, subject to the Indian Arms Act, 1959, the petitioner shall be

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entitled to renew and reclaim them in case of acquittal in this case, provided otherwise permissible under the concerned rules. Restricting firearms would instill confidence in the victim(s), their families, and society; it would also restrain the accused from influencing the witnesses and repeating the offense.

¶104

The conditions mentioned above imposed by this court are to endeavor to reform and ensure the accused does not repeat the offense and also to block the menace of drug abuse. In Mohammed Zubair v. State of NCT of Delhi, 2022:INSC:735 [Para 28], Writ Petition (Criminal) No 279 of 2022, Para 29, decided on July 20, 2022, A Three-Judge bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court holds that “The bail conditions imposed by the Court must not only have a nexus to the purpose that they seek to serve but must also be proportional to the purpose of imposing them. The courts, while imposing bail conditions must balance the liberty of the accused and the necessity of a fair trial. While doing so, conditions that would result in the deprivation of rights and liberties must be eschewed.”

¶105

In Md. Tajiur Rahaman v. The State of West Bengal, decided on 08-Nov-2024, SLP (Crl) 12225-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds in Para 7, “It goes without saying that if the petitioner is found involved in such like offence in future, the concession of bail granted to him today will liable to be withdrawn and the petitioner is bound to face the necessary consequences.”

¶106

This bail is conditional, and the foundational condition is that if the petitioner indulges in offence involving the commercial or intermediate quantity and the offence u/s19/24/27A of NDPS Act, the State shall file an application for cancellation of this bail before the Trial Court, which shall be at liberty to cancel this bail .

¶107

Any observation made hereinabove is neither an expression of opinion on the case's merits nor shall the trial Court advert to these comments.

¶108

A certified copy of this order would not be needed for furnishing bonds, and any Advocate for the Petitioner can download this order along with case status from the official web page of this Court and attest it to be a true copy. If the attesting officer wants to verify its authenticity, such an officer can also verify its authenticity and may download and use the downloaded copy for attesting bonds.

¶109

Petition allowed in terms mentioned above. All pending applications, if any, stand disposed of.

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(ANOOP CHITKARA) JUDGE

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24.04.2025 anju rani Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes Whether reportable: No.

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Prabhdeep Singh v. State of Punjab

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Prabhdeep Singh v. State of Punjab

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