SLPR 12803/2022
1ITEM NO.4 COURT NO.1 SECTION II-C S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No.12803/2022 (Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 24-08-2020 in CRLOP No.4330/2020 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras)
A.M. MANIKANDAN Petitioner(s)
VERSUS
THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER Respondent(s)
(With I.R. andIA No.192861/2022-EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT and IA No.192861/2022 – EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT)
Date : 30-01-2023 These matters were called on for hearing today.
CORAM :
HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PAMIDIGHANTAM SRI NARASIMHA
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE J.B. PARDIWALA
For Petitioner(s) Mr. Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Sr. Adv.
Mr. S. Prabu Ramasubramanian, Adv.
Mr. Raghunatha Sethupathy B, AOR
Mr. Bharathimohan M, Adv.
Ms. Priya R, Adv.
Mr. S. Sabari Balapandian, Adv.
Mr. Avinash Kumar, Adv.
For Respondent(s) Mr. K.M. Nataraj, ASG
Mr. Mukesh Kumar Maroria, AOR
Mr. Shailesh Madiyal, Adv.
Mr. Sharath Nambiar, Adv.
Mr. Vatsal Joshi, Adv.
Mr. Sughosh Subramamaniyam, Adv.
SLPR 12803/2022
2 UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following
O R D E R
1 The petitioner has undergone about four and a half years of custody. Charges have been framed on 24 January 2023. The alleged offences arises under the NDPS Act.
2 Mr Gopal Sankaranarayanan, senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner states that about 11 witnesses are to be examined.
3 Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent states that the examination of the first witness is scheduled to commence on 7 February 2023.
4 A counter affidavit has been filed on behalf of the respondents indicating that out of 118 adjournments, which were granted in the course of the proceedings before the trial court, an overwhelmingly large number has been on account of the adjournments sought by the accused.
5 In this backdrop, we are not inclined to grant bail at this stage. The trial court
shall expedite the trial and ensure that the proceedings are concluded by 31 July 2023.
6 The Special Leave Petition is dismissed, subject to the above direction for
expeditious conclusion of the trial.
7 Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of.
(CHETAN KUMAR) (SAROJ KUMARI GAUR)
A.R.-cum-P.S. Assistant Registrar