Punjab and Haryana HC denies bail in Narco-Terrorism Case, cites serious charges and national security concerns [Read Order]

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied bail to the petitioner, Bittu, in a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act.

Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi passed the order while hearing the petitioner’s application for regular bail.

The court noted that the case involved a “clear case of narco-terrorism,” where heroin and weapons were being brought into the country via drones from across the border. The recovery of 2 kg of heroin, a pistol, magazines, and live cartridges was made from an agricultural field.

The court observed that the petitioner had a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him under the NDPS Act and the Excise Act, in addition to cases under the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. The court ruled that the satisfaction required under Section 37 of the NDPS Act, that the accused has not committed an offense and is unlikely to commit one in the future, could not be recorded in the petitioner’s case.

Highlighting the gravity of the offense, the court stated, “Weapons and drugs are coming in across the border via drones. The weapons are used by terrorists and organized crime syndicates, whereas the drugs are being pushed towards the youngsters, because of which the lives of a whole generation of youth are being destroyed. Therefore, offenses of this kind are to be dealt with an iron hand.”

The court distinguished the petitioner’s case from those of the co-accused who had been granted bail, noting that the other accused had relatively clean antecedents or were involved in only one case under the NDPS Act.

Dismissing the bail petition, the court observed, “In view of the aforementioned discussion, I do not deem it appropriate to grant the concession of bail to the petitioner, and therefore, the present petition stands dismissed.”

However, the court clarified that the observations made in the order were only for the purpose of deciding the bail petition, and the trial court would be free to adjudicate the matter based on the evidence presented, without being influenced by the High Court’s observations.

In conclusion, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied bail to the petitioner in this narco-terrorism case, emphasizing the serious nature of the charges and the need to deal with such offenses firmly to protect the youth from the scourge of drugs and weapons.

[Read Order]