( 2025:JHHC:26693 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 7527 of 2025 ------- Pawan Kumar, aged about 24 years, son of Meghu Singh, resident of village Temka, P.O. & P.S. Rajpur, District Chatra, Jharkhand. …... …. Petitioner(s) Versus The State of Jharkhand .…. …. Opp. Party -------- CORAM : HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AMBUJ NATH -------- For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Pankaj Kumar, Advocate Mr. Anurag Prasad, Advocate Mr. Shashank, Advocate For the State : Mr. B. N. Ojha, Spl.P. P. -------- 02/ Dated 02.09.2025 Heard the parties. The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Rajpur P.S. Case No. 24 of 2022, corresponding to N.D.P.S. Case No.75 of 2024, for the offence registered under Sections 18, 27(A), 29 & 30 of N.D.P.S. Act, pending in the court of Shri Shambhu Lal Shaw, learned P.D.J.-cum-Special Judge (N.D.P.S.) at Chatra. Bail application of the petitioner was earlier permitted to be withdrawn vide B.A. No.12051/2023. It was submitted that about 18 kgs. of opium were recovered from the possession of the petitioner. It was further submitted that petitioner has remained in custody for more than two years. It was finally submitted that the charge has been framed in this case and out of eight witnesses, only three witnesses have been examined. Considering the fact that commercial quantity of opium was recovered, I am not inclined to release the petitioner, on bail. Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the petitioner is hereby rejected. Learned Trial Court shall expedite the trial and preferably, conclude the same within nine months from the next date fixed for recording of evidence. Petitioner, if so advised, may renew his prayer for bail after nine months. (Ambuj Nath, J.) BS/-