Punjab & Haryana High Court has stayed Jalandhar trial court’s orders summoning Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma as a defense witness in an NDPS case, terming it an attempt to delay trial.
Judicial Rebuke
Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi’s bench ruled senior officers cannot be dragged to court without valid cause in time-bound NDPS trials; summoning non-investigators/non-listed witnesses purely for stalling or publicity is unacceptable.
Stay Rationale
Court expressed shock at trial court’s bail warrant issuance against the CP, noting his law-order duties warranted video conferencing consideration—which was ignored. Insisting on personal appearance defies judicial prudence.
