| HC cancels bail in 24-Kg Ganja case, orders accused to surrender | | |
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 6: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has cancelled the bail granted to an accused in an Awantipora NDPS case involving the alleged recovery of more than 24 kilograms of ganja, holding that the mandatory requirements governing bail in commercial-quantity cases were not adequately considered.
Justice M.A. Chowdhary set aside the October 28, 2025 order of the Special NDPS Court, Pulwama, granting bail to Shabir Ahmad Dar in FIR No. 145/2024 of Police Station Awantipora. The High Court observed that Section 37 of the NDPS Act cannot be treated as an ordinary consideration or reduced to a mere formality while deciding bail.
The Court directed the accused to surrender before the trial court forthwith and, in any event, within two weeks, failing which coercive measures may be adopted in accordance with law.
The High Court, however, clarified that its observations would not affect the merits of the prosecution case or determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. It also left him free to seek bail afresh before the competent court in accordance with law and any subsequent change in circumstances. (JNF) |
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