MANOJ KUMAR GARG,J. - (1.) The petitioner has been arrested in connection with FIR No. 488/2017 of Police Station Hanumangarh Town for the offence punishable under Sections 8/21, 22, 25 NDPS Act. He has preferred this second bail application under Section 439 Cr.P.C., 1973 The first bail application was dismissed on 06.03.2018.
(2.) Counsel for the petitioner submits that after rejection of the first bail application, charges of the case were framed and three prosecution witnesses were examined before the trial court. He further submits that in this case total 200 bottles of cough syrup were recovered from the possession of the petitioner. He further submits that the coordinate Bench of this Court in SB Cr. Misc. Bail Application No. 3804/2018 titled as Mahendra Singh v. State vide order dated 12.07.2018 has granted bail to the accused-petitioner wherein total 250 bottles of cough syrup were recovered from the possession of the accused-petitioner.
(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner has also shown the judgment of Binod Kumar v. State of Bihar passed by Hon'ble Apex Court reported in 2017 (4) RCR (Criminal) 125. The said judgment reads as under : 1. Leave granted. 2. The appellant, Binod Kumar @ Binod Kumar Bhagat son of late Krishna Kumar is facing trial for the offences punishable under Sections 272, 273/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 Sections 27(b)(ii), 28, 36AC of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Section 22(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as NDPS Act, 1985). He has been in custody since 24.08.2016 in Araria P.S. Case No. 546 of 2016. 3. The prosecution has alleged that on 23.08.2016, a search was conducted at Azad Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by Transport Company Pvt. Ltd., Sadakat Complex, Navratan Chowk, where 4000 bottles Deepak Mansukhani Date: 2017.08.11, 16:59:48 IST Reason: of Corex cough syrup containing codeine was recovered and on being asked, the accused appellant, who is running the said transport agency placed a consignment note before the Drug Inspector but instead of the drugs shown in the consignment note, 40 cartons containing 100 bottles each of Corex cough syrup (100 ml) having codeine was recovered and the accused did show any documents with regard to such recovered cough syrup. The prosecution further states that the drug was recovered from the godown being managed by the appellant. 4. Learned senior counsel appearing for the appellant submits that the drug which was recovered from the godown being managed by the appellant is Corex syrup containing codeine which is being manufactured for the past 25 years. The Government of India issued notification dated 10.03.2016 in exercise of power under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and sought to prohibit the manufacture, distribution and sale of 344 Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) Drugs which included Corex. It is argued that the manufacturer and distributors of prohibited Drugs filed writ petition before the High Court of Delhi and the High Court hold that the notification in question do abide with the law and were quashed in writ petition (C) No. 2212 of 2016 on 01.12.2016. It is further argued that in view of this development Corex containing codeine is within the permissible limit and is covered under the NDPS Act, 1985 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1946. 5. It is also argued that the appellant is only an employee (Manager) of Azad Transport Company Pvt. Ltd. The said company is engaged in the business of transportation of goods. The consignee was Alsafa Surgical, Araria. The appellant is assigned with the duty of godown management. 6. We have also heard learned counsel for the respondent State, who has opposed the grant of bail. 7. According to the prosecution the Corex cough syrup has been recovered from the godown and the prosecution alleges that it has been recovered from the appellant. It is evident that the Delhi High Court by order dated 01.12.2016 quashed the notification issued under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 which has sought to prohibit the manufacture, distribution and sale of 344 Fixed Dose of Combination. The FIR was registered on 23.8.2016. Be that as it may, the appellant has been in custody from 24.08.2016. 8. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that it is just and proper to release the appellant on bail. Therefore, we order the appellant to be released on bail on execution of his personal bond in sum of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the trial judge. We permit the trial judge to impose such conditions as he feels necessary for ensuring the appellant's attendance on the dates of posting in the trial court. 9. The order of the High Court dated 15.12.2016 in Criminal Miscellaneous No. 44301 of 2016 is hereby set aside and the appeal is accordingly allowed.;