HARPREET SINGH @ HAPPY v. STATE OF PUNJAB

FIR No. 233 Dated 13.09.2021 Police Station Chheharta, District Amritsar, Punjab Sections 21 of NDPS Act, 1985 and Section 21 C of NDPS Act added later on

#1. 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.

#2. In paragraph 14 of the bail petition, the accused declares no criminal antecedents. However, in para 11 of the reply/the custody certificate, the accused has the following antecedent:- Sr. No. 1. FIR 03 Date Offences Police Station

04.01.2020 21B/29/61/85 of NDPS Act

#2. 103

21.08.2021

#4. 147 156

24.054.2022

30.04.2022 18/21/29/64/85 of NDPS Act and Sections 3/34/20 IPC and Section 14 of Passport Act 21B of NDPS Act and Sections 42 and 52 of Prisoner Act 52 of Prisoner Act Sarai Amanat Khan, Tarn Taran Ramdas, Amritsar Rural Islamabad, Amritsar Islamabad, Amritsar

#3. The facts and allegations are taken from the reply filed by the State. On

13.09.2021, based on secret information, the Police seized 01 kg of Heroin wrapped in a piece of cloth which was tied around the waist of the petitioner was recovered from him. The Investigator claims to have complied with all the statutory requirements of the NDPS Act, Renu Bala 2025.05.01 11:31 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-16170-2025 1985, and CrPC, 1973. -2-

#4. Counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present FIR and has no link with the alleged recovery and nothing has been recovered from the conscious possession of the petitioner. He further submits (without considering and admitting) that the petitioner be given one opportunity to live like a good citizen. He shall not indulge himself in the offence involving the commercial or intermediate quantity or the offence which falls under Section 19/24/27A of NDPS Act. He further submits that if the petitioner involves himself in the said offences, he has no objection, if the State files application for cancellation of his bail. He further contends that further pre-trial incarceration would cause an irreversible injustice to the petitioner and his family.

#6. The State’s counsel opposes bail and refers to the reply. The petitioner seeks bail on pre-trial custody of more than 03 years, 07 months and 04 days. REASONING:

#7. 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.

#8. Per the custody certificate dated 20.04.2025, the petitioner is in custody for 03 years, 07 months and 04 days in this FIR.

#9. 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 Act.

#10. The petitioner is entitled to bail based on Dheeraj Kumar Shukla v. The State of Uttar Pradesh [SLP (Crl) 6690-2022], decided on 25 Jan 2023. Dheeraj Shukla would be attracted when the three conditions are fulfilled, (a). The custody of more than two years and six months and the delay was not attributable to the accused. (b). The trial is at an initial stage. (c) The petitioner is the first offender.

#11. Considering the quantity involved and the pre-trial custody, Section 37 of the NDPS Act would not be attracted. Given this, the criminal antecedents are also not a legal ground for denying the rigors of S. 37 of the NDPS Act at this stage.

#12. Given the penal provisions invoked viz-a-viz pre-trial custody, coupled with the primafacie analysis of the nature of allegations and the other factors peculiar to this case, there would be no justifiability further pre-trial incarceration at this stage, subject to the compliance of terms and conditions mentioned in this order.

#13. 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. Renu Bala 2025.05.01 11:31 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-16170-2025 CONDITIONS: -3-

#14. 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.

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

#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)

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

#17. 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.

#18. 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 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.

#19. 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 Renu Bala 2025.05.01 11:31 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 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 CRM-M-16170-2025 -4- 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.”

#20. 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.”

#21. This bail is conditional, and the foundational condition is that if the petitioner indulges in any non-bailable offense, the State shall file an application for cancellation of this bail before the Trial Court, which shall be at liberty to cancel this bail.

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

#23. 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.

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

29.04.2025 renubala Whether speaking/reasoned: Whether reportable: Yes No. (ANOOP CHITKARA) JUDGE Renu Bala 2025.05.01 11:31 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document