Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 31: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Mohammad Ashraf Dar in a case linked to seizure of 445 kilograms of poppy straw, holding that the recovery falls in the category of commercial quantity and the rigours of Section 37 of the NDPS Act are fully attracted.
As per the record, the petitioner is sought to be arrested in FIR No. 13/2023 dated 11.10.2023 registered at Police Station Anti Narcotic Task Force for offences under the NDPS Act and other penal provisions. The contraband was allegedly recovered from a mini oil tanker intercepted by the agency, being driven by Jagjeet Singh, who, during investigation, disclosed the names of alleged associates, including those from Kashmir and Punjab.
The petitioner contended that there was "absolutely no material" to connect him with the case and claimed he was being linked only on the basis of a ?1 lakh bank transfer received from co-accused Nadeem Ahmed Sofi, asserting it was connected with a vehicle sale agreement.
However, opposing the plea, the prosecution said the transfer reflected the petitioner's alleged share of advance money for smuggling the seized consignment and submitted that the investigation was being conducted by a new IO, Inspector Annayat Ali.
After hearing the parties, Justice Rajnesh Oswal held that the petitioner failed to satisfy the Court that there were reasonable grounds to believe he was not guilty, and dismissed the anticipatory bail plea as being without merit. —(JNF) |
