Sukhdev
Singh Vs. State of Haryana [2007] Insc 679 (1 June 2007)
Dr. ARIJIT PASAYAT & D.K. JAIN
WITH
CRIMINAL MISC.PETITION NO.4562 oF 2007 Dr. ARIJIT PASAYAT, J.
1. Challenge in this appeal is to the judgment of a learned Single Judge of
the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissing the appeal filed by the appellant.
The appeal was filed by the appellant against the judgment of the learned
Sessions Judge, Sirsa convicting him for offence punishable under Section 18 of
the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (in short the 'Act')
and sentencing him to undergo imprisonment for ten years and to pay a fine of
Rs.1,00,000/- with default stipulation.
2. Appeal before the High Court was disposed of in the absence of learned
counsel for the appellant. The order itself noticed that with the assistance of
learned counsel for the State, learned Single Judge perused the records and
delivered the judgment.
3. From the order of the High Court it appears that notice was issued to the
appellant for engaging another counsel as the High Court noticed that he was
not represented. It is noted in the order that there was no evidence to show
that the notice was served on the appellant or not, yet the High Court disposed
of the matter ex parte.
4. In support of the appeal, learned counsel for the appellant submitted
that no notice was received by the appellant regarding non-appearance of his
lawyer. In any event the lawyer who was earlier appearing had withdrawn form
the case without any intimation to the appellant.
5. Though several other points are raised in support of the appeal, it is
not necessary to refer to them. Since the High Court itself was not sure
whether notice was served or not, it should not have taken up the matter ex
parte. The matter is remitted to the High Court for fresh consideration on
merits.
As the matter is pending since long before the High Court, let the parties
appear before the High Court without further notice on 16th July, 2007. The Hon'ble Chief Justice is requested to list the matter before an appropriate
Bench.
6. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
7. In view of this order, no order is necessary to be passed in
Crl.M.P.No.4562 of 2007.
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