NDPS bail granted after prolonged custody, early-stage trial, and no criminal antecedents justified release.

In an NDPS case, the Supreme Court granted bail after considering that the accused had spent about 1 year and 7 months in custody, the trial had barely commenced with only one witness examined, and there were no criminal antecedents. The Court expressly declined to comment on the merits and treated the custody period and early trial stage as sufficient grounds to enlarge the petitioner on bail, subject to furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Trial Court.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner, accused in an NDPS case, was entitled to bail having regard to the period of custody undergone, the preliminary stage of the trial, and the absence of criminal antecedents.

Analysis: The petitioner had remained in custody for about 1 year and 7 months. The trial had barely commenced, with only one witness examined, and there were no criminal antecedents. Considering these circumstances, and without expressing any view on the merits of the case, the Court found it appropriate to grant bail.

Conclusion: Bail was granted to the petitioner on furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Trial Court.

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