IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 446 of 2025 Parwati Devi @ Parbati Debi, aged 66 years, wife of late Bhikari Chaudhary, resident of Harshad VT Road, Titagarh, P.O. and P.S.- Bagripada, District- North 25 Pargana (West Bengal) … Petitioner - Versus - Union of India … Opp. Party WITH B.A. No. 1040 of 2025 Meera Choudhary, aged 45 years, wife of Ranjit Chaudhary, resident of Harshad VT Road, Titagarh, P.O. and P.S.- Bagripada, District- North 25 Pargana (West Bengal) … Petitioner - Versus - 1. The state of Jharkhand 2. Union of India … Opp. Parties ------ CORAM: - HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AMBUJ NATH ----- For the Petitioners : Mr. Nilesh Kumar, Advocate For the UOI : Mrs. Lily Sahay, A.P.P. : Mr. Anil Kumar, ASGI : Mr. Abhijeet Kr. Singh, CGC For the State : Mr. Shailesh Kr. Sinha, A.P.P. --- 03/25.03.2025 Both these Bail Applications arise out of same police case. Accordingly, both these Bail Application are being disposed of by a common order. Heard the parties. The petitioners have been made accused in connection with Rail Barkakana P.S. Case No. 04 of 2023, corresponding to N.D.P.S. Case No.01 of 2023, for the offences under Sections 17, 18, 21 and 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, pending in the court of learned Sessions Judge, Ramgarh. On 25.05.2023 at about 11:15 A.M, petitioners were apprehended by RPF Barkakana and on search, 25 grams of brown sugar and 500 grams of Psychotropic substances were recovered from their possession. The quantum of recovered contraband comes within the purview of commercial quantity. -2- Learned counsel for the petitioners has relied upon the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court passed in the case of Ankur Chaudhary Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh as reported in 2024 SCC OnLine SC 2730, wherein the Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that failure to conclude the trial within a reasonable time resulting in prolonged incarceration militates against the precious fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Report regarding the stage of trial earlier called for, has been received. It appears that out of 13 witnesses, 4 witnesses have been examined till date and last witness was examined on 12.07.2024. Considering the nature of allegation, I am not inclined to release the petitioners, on bail. Accordingly, their prayer for bail stands rejected at this stage. The learned trial court shall expedite the trial and preferably conclude the same within six months from the next date fixed for recording his evidence, failing which the petitioners shall be at liberty to renew their prayer for bail. (Ambuj Nath, J.) Jay/-