The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Monday suspended sentence of two accused in two different cases in view of the pandemic COVID-19.
The Court while allowing the applications for suspension of sentence stated that applicants are first time offenders and their appeals were not likely to be listed in near future due to lockdown amid outbreak of COVID-19. The Courts across country are only hearing cases of most urgent nature.
Shri Lakshay Bector Advocate for the applicant said that alleged recovery made from the applicant is 20 kg of poppy husk and against the awarded sentence of six months; the applicant is in custody for a total period of 3 months and 10 days. The counsel for the state did not dispute the custody period of the applicant-appellant.
Shri Priyavrat Prashar, advocate for another applicant said that the alleged recovery made from the applicant is 1.2 kg of ganja and as against the awarded sentence of one year, the applicant is in custody for a total period of 2 months and 15 days. Moreover, considering the fact that there is no other case pending against the applicant under NDPS Act, the appeal is not likely to be listed in near future.
The cases were heard by single judge bench of Justice Hari Pal Verma, while allowing the application for suspension the sentences awarded to both applicants and ordered their release on bail, on furnishing of his personal bonds to the satisfaction of the Illaqa Magistrate/Duty Magistrate.
Also, Justice Verma directed the applicants to abide by the administrative instructions/ guidelines issued in view of outbreak of Covid-19, including maintaining of social distancing and preventing community transmission during their release on bail.
-India Legal Bureau