The State Of Punjab vs Baljit Singh on 9 July, 2025

Supreme Court – Daily Orders

The State Of Punjab vs Baljit Singh on 9 July, 2025

Author: Sudhanshu Dhulia

Bench: Sudhanshu Dhulia

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                                          IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

                                          CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION


                                         CRIMINAL APPEAL NO(S).565/2021



                      STATE OF PUNJAB                                                APPELLANT(S)


                                                      VERSUS



                      BALJIT SINGH                                                RESPONDENT(S)




                                                   O R D E R

1. Heard learned counsel for the appellant.

2. The State of Punjab is before this Court, challenging the

order dated 13.12.2019 by which the criminal appeal of the

State has been dismissed which was directed against the order

of the Trial Court dated 27.02.2019 by which the respondent –

Baljit Singh was acquitted in a case registered for the

offence punishable under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and

Psychotropic Substances Act.

3. As per office report dated 08.07.2025, in spite of
Signature Not Verified
service of notice, none appears on behalf of the respondent.
Digitally signed by
Nirmala Negi
Date: 2025.07.10
15:32:13 IST
Reason: Leave in this matter has been granted as far as back in the

year of 2021 i.e. dated 05.07.2021.

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4. We, therefore, are taking up this matter today

considering the above mentioned facts.

5. The case of the prosecution before this Court is that on

23.03.2015 a police party headed by Sub Inspector (SI)

Gurpinderpal Singh who was incharge of Anti Narcotic Cell,

Mandi, Gobindgarh, were patrolling and doing nakabandi and

apprehended the respondent who was driving a Maruti Car

bearing registration No. PB-10-AJ-9778 and thereafter two

bundles (plastic bag) were recovered, one containing 25.5 kg.,

and another containing 26 kg.of poppy husk (contraband

article) along with two samples of 250 gm.each of poppy husk

in each bundle, together being about 52.5 kg of poppy husk

(contraband article). The respondent, thereafter faced the

trial in which the Trial Court after appreciating the entire

evidence in the case brought forward by the prosecution

acquitted the respondent vide its order dated 27.02.2019 and

later the criminal appeal filed by the State, was also

dismissed by the High Court.

6. In our considered view, now since a consistent view has

been taken by both the Trial Court as well as by the Appellate

Court, acquitting the respondent, and considering the nature

of the present case and the facts therein what is left before

us now is merely an appreciation of facts which cannot be done

at this stage under our jurisdiction under Article 136 of the

Constitution of India.

7. We, therefore, dismiss the present appeal, considering

the peculiar nature of the case.

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8. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

………………..J.
[SUDHANSHU DHULIA]

……………….J.
[JOYMALYA BAGCHI]

New Delhi;

July 09, 2025.

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ITEM NO.106                  COURT NO.11                 SECTION II-B

                S U P R E M E C O U R T O F      I N D I A
                        RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

                    CRIMINAL APPEAL NO(S).565/2021

STATE OF PUNJAB                                       Appellant(s)

                                 VERSUS

BALJIT SINGH                                          Respondent(s)

(IA No. 72969/2021 – EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.)

Date : 09-07-2025 This matter was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHANSHU DHULIA
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE JOYMALYA BAGCHI
(PARTIAL COURT WORKING DAYS BENCH)

For Appellant(s) Mr. Karan Sharma, AOR
Mr. Mohit Siwach, Adv.

For Respondent(s)

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following
O R D E R

The present appeal is dismissed in terms of the signed order,

which is placed on the file.

Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

(NIRMALA NEGI) (RENU BALA GAMBHIR)
ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR