Bail under NDPS law granted on substantial compliance with Section 37, prolonged custody, and no criminal antecedents.

Accused persons under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act were granted bail pending trial because the investigation was complete, the charge sheet had been filed, charges had not yet been framed, and the trial was likely to take time. Their custody had exceeded one year and four months, they had no criminal antecedents, and the Court treated these facts as substantial compliance with Section 37. Bail was therefore considered appropriate, subject to conditions to secure regular appearance and to treat any involvement in another offence as misuse of the concession.

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Issues: Whether the petitioners, accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, were entitled to bail pending trial in the facts of the case, having regard to the requirements of Section 37.

Analysis: The investigation was complete and the chargesheet had been filed, but charges were yet to be framed and the trial would take time. The petitioners had remained in custody for more than one year and four months and had no criminal antecedents. In these circumstances, the Court found substantial compliance with Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and considered release on bail appropriate, while imposing conditions to secure regular appearance and to treat any involvement in another offence as misuse of the concession.

Conclusion: Bail was granted to the petitioners on terms to be imposed by the Trial Court.

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