Srinagar, Nov. 8 -- Rejects bail application in 'narcotic financial linkage case'

Srinagar: Holding that the absence of recovery of narcotic substances from an accused cannot, by itself, entitle him to bail when the prosecution alleges his involvement in financing drug trafficking, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh has rejected a bail plea in a case involving an alleged organised heroin trafficking network.

Justice M.A. Chowdhary, while emphasising the stringent statutory restrictions under Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, observed that where a commercial quantity of narcotics is involved, an accused must satisfy the twin conditions prescribed under the provision before being granted bail.

"The ab...