Says Drug Menace Requires Firm Response
RK News Service
Srinagar, June 5: A court in Budgam has rejected the bail applications of two persons accused in a narcotics case, observing that drug-related offences pose a serious threat to society and require a collective response from law enforcement agencies and the public.
The Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court), Budgam, dismissed the bail pleas of Javid Ahmad Lone of Humhama and Shakir Rashid Dar of Dar Mohalla, Humhama, who are facing trial in connection with FIR No. 307/2025 registered under Sections 8, 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Budgam.
According to the court order, the prosecution opposed the bail applications, stating that 12 grams of heroin had allegedly been recovered from Javid Ahmad Lone and 6.4 grams from Shakir Rashid Dar. The defence argued that the recovered substance fell within the category of intermediate quantity and sought their release on bail.
During the proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the accused had allegedly concealed their criminal antecedents while seeking bail. The court noted that previous NDPS cases were already registered against the accused and took a serious view of the affidavits submitted before it.
The court observed that while the quantity allegedly recovered in the present case falls under the intermediate category, the antecedents of the accused could not be ignored. It noted that repeated involvement in narcotics-related offences raised concerns about habitual engagement in such activities.
In a strongly worded order, the court remarked that drug peddling has emerged as a grave social menace affecting communities, particularly young people. It observed that narcotics offences have far-reaching consequences and stressed the need for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to eradicate the drug menace from society.
The court also referred to the ongoing anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir and underscored the importance of public participation in efforts aimed at curbing substance abuse and narcotics trafficking.
Holding that the applicants had not approached the court with clean hands and considering the overall circumstances of the case, the court declined to exercise its discretion in their favour and dismissed both bail applications.