Ritik v. State of Haryana
Case Details
CRM-M-33811-2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-33811-2025 Reserved on: 07.08.2025 Pronounced on: 26.08.2025 Ritik ...Petitioner Versus State of Haryana …Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANOOP CHITKARA Present: Mr. Sandeep Kotla, Advocate for the petitioner. Dr. Jasmine Gill, A.A.G., Haryana. ANOOP CHITKARA, J. **** FIR No. Dated Police Station Sections 456 18.08.2023 Sector 29, Panipat 20 & 29 of NDPS Act 1.
Facts
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. Per Note 2 of the bail application and paragraph 5(E) of status report, the petitioner has the following criminal antecedents: Sr. No. 1. FIR No. Date 904/2019 - Offenses Chandni Bagh, Panipat Police Station 20 of NDPS Act 3. The facts and allegations are taken from the status report filed by the State. On 18.08.2023, based on prior information, the Police seized 1 kg 130 grams of Charas from the possession of the petitioner. The Investigator claims to have complied with all the statutory requirements of the NDPS Act, 1985, and CrPC, 1973. 4. 5. The petitioner's counsel seeks bail on the grounds of prolonged pretrial custody. 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. 6. The petitioner’s counsel submits that the petitioner would have no objection whatsoever to any stringent conditions that this Court may impose, including that if the Jyoti Sharma 2025.08.26 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector 1, Chandigarh 1 CRM-M-33811-2025 petitioner repeats the offense or commits any non-bailable offense which provides for a sentence of imprisonment for more than seven years, or commits any offence under the NDPS Act, where the quantity involved is more than half of the intermediate, or commercial quantity, or violates S. 19, or 24, or 27-A of the NDPS Act, the State may file an application to revoke this bail before the concerned Court having jurisdiction over this FIR, which shall have the authority to cancel this bail, and may do so at their discretion, to which the petitioner shall have no objection. 7. The State’s counsel opposes bail and refers to the status report. REASONING: 8. As per paragraph 5 of the status report, the name of the contraband is Charas and its weight is 1 kg 130 grams, and it constitutes an offense under the following provisions and notifications: Substance Name Quantity detained Quantity type Drug Quantity in % to upper limit of Intermediate Cannabis and cannabis resin/ Charas/ Hashish/ Sulpha 1130 Gram Commercial 113.00% Drug's Small & Commercial Qty. suggested by Committee report Notification No. & date Punishable U/s Expert Committee Report dated 24.03.1995 & 23.08.2001 (Small and Commercial) S.20(b)(ii)C of NDPS Act, 1985 Specified as small & Commercial in S.2(viia) & 2(xxiiia) NDPS Act, 1985 Notification No. & dated S.O.1055(E) 10/19/2001 Sr. No. 23 Common Name (Name of Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substance (International non-proprietary name (INN) Other non-proprietary name Chemical Name Small Quantity Commercial Quantity Cannabis and cannabis resin CHARAS, HASHISH EXTRACTS and TINCTURES OF CANNABIS < 100 Gram > 1000 Gram Jyoti Sharma 2025.08.26 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector 1, Chandigarh 2 CRM-M-33811-2025 0 Declared as punishable under NDPS Act and as per schedule defined in S.2(xi) & 2(xxiii) NDPS Act, 1985 Notification No. & dated S.20 & S.2(iii) NDPS Act, S.O.821(E) 11/14/1985 Sr. No. Common Name (Name of Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substance (International non-proprietary name (INN) Other non-proprietary name Chemical Name S.2(iii) ****** ****** S.2(iii) “cannabis (hemp)” means— (a) charas, that is, the separated resin, in whatever form, whether crude or purified, obtained from the cannabis plant and also includes concentrated preparation and resin known as hashish oil or liquid hashish; (b) ganja, that is, the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant (excluding the seeds and leaves when not accompanied by the tops), by whatever name they may be known or designated; and (c) any mixture, with or without any neutral material, of any of the above forms of cannabis or any drink prepared therefrom; (iv) “cannabis plant” means any plant of the genus cannabis; S. 2(viiib)] “illicit traffic”, in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, means— (i) cultivating any coca plant or gathering any portion of coca plant; (ii) cultivating the opium poppy or any cannabis plant; (iii) engaging in the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, warehousing, concealment, use or consumption, import inter-State, export inter-State, import into India, export from India or transhipment, of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances; 9. 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 set forth by the Legislature under Section 37 of the NDPS Act. Jyoti Sharma 2025.08.26 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector 1, Chandigarh 3 CRM-M-33811-2025 10. The petitioner is entitled to bail because, in somewhat similar cases where the quantity involved was either greater than or close to the amount seized in the current FIR, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has granted bail after prolonged custody, as demonstrated by the following judicial precedent: 11. In Bhola Shikari v. The State of Chhattisgarh, decided on 11-Nov-2024, SLP (Crl) 13236-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds, 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. Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and also the learned counsel appearing for the respondent-State.
Legal Reasoning
We find that the case for bail is made out. 13. In Tarak Singh v. The State of West Bengal, decided on 09-12-2024, SLP (Crl) No. 13147-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds, The petitioner is an accused in a case bearing FIR No.186/2023 registered with Police Station Panchla, District Howrah, West Bengal, for the offences punishable under Sections 20(b)(ii)(C) & 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The allegation against the petitioner is that 28 kgs. ganja (contraband article) recovered from him. The bail application of the petitioner was dismissed by the High Court. Being aggrieved he approached this Court. He has already undergone about 1 ½ years in jail. Considering the period of incarceration of the petitioner and the fact that the Jyoti Sharma 2025.08.26 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector 1, Chandigarh 4 CRM-M-33811-2025 petitioner has no other criminal antecedents, we are of the opinion that a case of bail is made out for the petitioner. 14. In Mohit Chaturvedi v State of Madhya Pradesh, SLP (Crl.) No. 1303-2025, decided on 04-04-2025, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds, [2], In the facts of the present as per the prosecution allegations, the petitioner, who was driving the motorcycle, and the co-accused Prem Parte, was the pillion rider, said to have been found in possession of contraband. The total quantity recovered was 25.682 Kilograms ganja. However, with aid of Section 29 of the NDPS Act, the petitioner and the co-accused were implicated, indicating the quantity as commercial. [3]. Having considered the submissions and the period of custody undergone is more than one year and that the chargesheet has already been filed. In the facts and all attending circumstances, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, we deem it appropriate to release the petitioner on bail. 15. Per the custody certificate dated 06.08.2025, the petitioner's custody in this FIR is 01 year, 11 months and 19 days. 16. 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. 17. Following the judicial precedent mentioned above, without commenting on the case's merits, and considering the petitioner’s pre-trial custody, the weight of the drugs, coupled with the other factors peculiar to this case, further pre-trial incarceration is not justified at this stage, subject to the terms and conditions of this order. However, this order shall take effect from the time it is uploaded to this Court's official webpage. CONDITIONS: 18. 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 or 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. 19. 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 1 Supreme Court of India, in Rabi Prakash v. The State of Odisha, SLP (Crl) 4169-2023, Para 4, decided on 13 July 2023 Jyoti Sharma 2025.08.26 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector 1, Chandigarh 5 CRM-M-33811-2025 considers it appropriate or considers the accused a flight risk. 3. Mobile number (If available) 4. E-Mail id (If available) 20. This order is subject to the petitioner’s complying with the following terms. 21. 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. 22. Given the background of allegations against the petitioner, it becomes paramount to protect the detection squad, members of society, 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 society; it would also restrain the accused from influencing the witnesses and repeating the offense. 23. 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 the Hon’ble Supreme Court held 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.” 24. In Md. Tajiur Rahaman v. The State of West Bengal, decided on 08-Nov-2024, SLP (Crl) 12225-2024, the 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.” Jyoti Sharma 2025.08.26 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector 1, Chandigarh 6 CRM-M-33811-2025 25. This bail is conditional, with the foundational condition being that if the petitioner repeats the offense where the quantity involved is more than half of the intermediate, or commercial, or violates S. 19, 24, or 27-A of the NDPS Act, or commits any non-bailable offense which provides for a sentence of imprisonment for more than seven years, the State shall file an application to revoke this bail before the concerned Court having jurisdiction over this FIR, which shall have the authority to cancel this bail, and as per their discretion, they may cancel this bail. 26. Any observation made hereinabove is neither an expression of opinion on the case's merits nor shall the trial Court advert to these comments. 27. In Amit Rana v. State of Haryana, CRM-18469-2025 [in CRA-D-123-2020, decided on 05.08.2025], a Division Bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court in paragraph 13, holds that “To ensure that every person in judicial custody who has been granted bail or whose sentence has been suspended gets back their liberty without any delay, it is appropriate that whenever the bail order or the orders of suspension of sentence are not immediately sent by the Registry, computer systems, or Public Prosecutor, then in such a situation, to facilitate the immediate restoration of the liberty granted by any Court, the downloaded copies of all such orders, subject to verification, must be accepted by the Court before whom the bail bonds are furnished.” 28. Petition allowed in terms mentioned above. All pending applications, if any, are
Arguments
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. 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. 12. In Pallab Senapati v. The State of West Bengal, decided on 19-11-2024, SLP (Crl) No. 14344-2024, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds, Learned counsel for the appellant submitted that he is in jail for over two years and though the trial has commenced, out of eleven witnesses only four witnesses have been examined; that there is a possibility of trial being delayed. Hence, this Court may set aside the impugned order and grant relief of bail to the appellant herein. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent-State submitted that as 22.50 Kgs. of Ganja were recovered from the appellant herein. That since only seven more witnesses have to be examined, instead of releasing the appellant on bail a direction may be issued to the Trial Court to conclude the trial expeditiously. He submitted that there is no merit in this appeal. We have considered the submissions advanced at the Bar.
Decision
disposed of. 26.08.2025 Jyoti Sharma Whether speaking/reasoned : : Whether reportable Yes No. (ANOOP CHITKARA) JUDGE Jyoti Sharma 2025.08.26 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector 1, Chandigarh 7