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New Delhi, Feb 13: The Supreme Court has granted bail to an officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau, who has been in custody since March 1, 2021, facing serious charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
A bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka & Justice Ujwal Bhuyyan noted that the trial is unlikely to conclude within a reasonable timeframe.
The Supreme Court also expressed concerns over the investigative methods, particularly the reliance on a photo identification memo where witnesses were shown photographs of the appellant rather than participating in a proper Test Identification Parade.
The bench remarked that this was a very strange and doubtful procedure though it refrained from making final findings to avoid influencing the ongoing trial.
The prosecution’s claim of recovering Rs 91 lakh from the appellant was also scrutinized, with the court noting that no evidence was presented to link the money directly to the alleged offences.
The bench had described this situation as shocking. This practice has led to situations where accused individuals remain in custody for extended periods, the Court added.
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