HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL First Bail Application No.1148 of 2024 Azeem Ali ….....Applicant Versus State of Uttarakhand ….….Respondent Present:- Ms. Sheetal Selwal, Advocate for the applicant. Mr. V.S. Rawat, A.G.A. for the State. Hon’ble Ravindra Maithani, J. (Oral) Applicant is in judicial custody in FIR No. 293 of 2023, under Section 8/22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (“the Act”), Police Station Vanbhoolpura, District Nainital. He has sought his release on bail. 2. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record. 3. According to the FIR, on 04.10.2023, narcotic substance in commercial quantity was allegedly recovered from the applicant. 4. It is argued that charge sheet in the matter was lodged on 08.05.2023; charge was framed on 04.07.2024; thereafter, not even a single witness has been examined. 5. It is a case of recovery of narcotic substance in commercial quantity and in such cases Section 37 of the Act makes specific provisions. Bail in such cases may not be granted, unless the Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not 2 guilty of such offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. But, denial of bail does not give unfettered liberty to the prosecution to keep a person in custody without conducting a trial. 6. The applicant is in custody for more than a year. For more than six months in between not even a single witness was examined. 7. Having considered the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the view that it is a case fit for bail and the applicant deserves to be enlarged on bail. 8. The bail application is allowed. 9. Let the applicant be released on bail, on his executing a personal bond and furnishing two reliable sureties, each of the like amount, to the satisfaction of the court concerned. (Ravindra Maithani, J) 07.01.2025 Jitendra