Citation : 2025 Local Law (CG) 852
The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed the second application for regular bail filed by Hariom Pal, an accused in a 2024 narcotics case involving the seizure of 33.7 kilograms of ganja. Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha passed the order on November 3, 2025, while directing the trial court to expedite the proceedings and avoid long adjournments when an accused is in custody.
Pal was arrested on November 8, 2024, in Crime No. 356/2024 registered at Devbhog Police Station, District Gariyaband, for alleged offences under Section 20-B(ii)(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The case stems from an informant tip, a subsequent raid, and the recovery said to be from the joint possession of Pal and co-accused. The charge sheet has been filed.
This was Pal’s second attempt at bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. His first application was rejected on January 31, 2025, on the ground that the contraband quantity far exceeded the commercial threshold and he had not offered a satisfactory explanation. The court noted those reasons continue to hold and that the trial is underway.
During the hearing, the defence pointed out that only three of fourteen prosecution witnesses have been examined so far and that each of them turned hostile, while the next evidentiary date fixed by the trial court is January 8, 2026. The High Court recorded this status and, instead of granting bail, directed the trial court to pre-pone the matter and fix short dates. The Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh, has been tasked with ensuring the presence of all remaining witnesses, including police personnel, to push the trial forward.
Chief Justice Sinha also issued a larger reminder on the right to a speedy trial, observing that trial courts often grant long adjournments even when the accused is in custody. He asked all trial courts to avoid unnecessary delays, fix short and continuous dates for evidence, and work toward timely completion unless there is an unavoidable reason. The Registrar General has been directed to circulate the order to all Principal and District Judges in the State and to the DGP for information and compliance.
While rejecting bail, the High Court expressed hope that the trial would conclude within four months from the receipt of a certified copy of the order, subject to there being no legal impediment.
Case Details : MCRC No. 8711 of 2025, Hariom Pal S/o Jagdish Pal vs State of Chhattisgarh.
Counsels : For Applicant : Mr. Ravikar Patel, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer.
