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| Court frames charges against 2 in Ramban-Mumbai Charas smuggling case | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 24: A Special NDPS Court in Jammu has framed charges against Arun Kumar and Ashok Kumar Verma in an alleged interstate Charas trafficking case, observing that there was prima facie material indicating a conspiracy to transport the contraband from Ramban to Mumbai.
Special Judge (NDPS Cases), Jammu, Parvaiz Iqbal, ordered framing of charges against both accused under Sections 8, 20, 27A and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Crime No. 13/2025 of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu.
According to the prosecution, the case originated from specific information received by NCB Jammu on November 16, 2025. Arun Kumar was intercepted while travelling in a bus on NH-44 at Panjgrain, Nagrota, following which the agency claimed to have recovered about 2.979 kg of Charas from his possession.
The NCB alleged that Arun had travelled to Ramban to collect the contraband on the directions of Ashok Kumar Verma and was supposed to deliver it to him in Jammu. Ashok was subsequently intercepted from a park near Jammu Railway Station, where he was allegedly waiting for Arun to arrive.
The prosecution case is that the alleged operation formed part of a wider interstate drug trafficking arrangement involving a Mumbai-based person identified in the order as Khalid Sayyed. The NCB alleged that Charas was to be procured from Jammu and Kashmir and ultimately transported to Mumbai for illegal sale and monetary gain.
The court noted that the prosecution alleged Arun had been offered Rs 15,000 for the trip, while Ashok was allegedly promised Rs 55,000 for the delivery and had already received Rs 45,000 in advance.
During arguments, Special Public Prosecutor A.S. Manhas appeared for the Union of India through NCB, while Advocate Idrees Saleem Dar represented the accused persons.
The defence sought disc l After considering the material cumulatively, the Special Judge held that there was prima facie evidence indicating that both accused were acting in furtherance of a conspiracy and that there was a prior meeting of minds to illegally transport Charas from Ramban to Mumbai.
l The court described Ashok Kumar Verma as the alleged "linchpin" in the interstate drug-smuggling network, observing that the material prima facie indicated that he would arrange a carrier for the Mumbai-based handler to obtain delivery of contraband from the source.
l Consequently, charges were framed against both accused under Sections 8, 20, 27A and 29 of the NDPS Act. Both accused, who joined the proceedings virtually from their respective jails, pleaded not guilty, following which the prosecution was directed to lead evidence.
The NCB opposed the plea, maintaining that its case did not rest solely on the Section 67 statements. It relied upon Call Detail Records and extracted WhatsApp data, contending that electronic evidence showed regular communication and coordination between the accused.
The court observed that forensic examination of the mobile phone allegedly recovered from Ashok had yielded WhatsApp data showing communication with the co-accused. It further noted the prosecution allegation that a photograph of Arun had been shared through WhatsApp so that the person delivering the Charas in Ramban could identify him.
After considering the material cumulatively, the Special Judge held that there was prima facie evidence indicating that both accused were acting in furtherance of a conspiracy and that there was a prior meeting of minds to illegally transport Charas from Ramban to Mumbai.
The court described Ashok Kumar Verma as the alleged "linchpin" in the interstate drug-smuggling network, observing that the material prima facie indicated that he would arrange a carrier for the Mumbai-based handler to obtain delivery of contraband from the source.
Consequently, charges were framed against both accused under Sections 8, 20, 27A and 29 of the NDPS Act. Both accused, who joined the proceedings virtually from their respective jails, pleaded not guilty, following which the prosecution was directed to lead evidence. (JNF) |
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