Ravichandran Nirojani vs The Attorney General – HC/191//2021-2023

In the case between Ravichandran Nirojani and the Attorney General, the court addressed the issue of whether bail should be granted to an accused charged with the possession of a significant quantity of heroin under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, weighing the gravity of the offence against prolonged remand and potential violations of constitutional rights. It was held that, notwithstanding the seriousness of the offence, exceptional circumstances—specifically the extensive delay in trial and potential infringement upon fundamental rights—justified the granting of bail with rigorous conditions. The principle reaffirmed was that bail should not serve as a punishment, but rather balance the interests of justice with safeguarding individual rights, in accordance with amended