Srinagar, Oct. 6 -- Underscoring that the fight against drug abuse outweighs individual liberties, a Srinagar court on Monday rejected the bail applications of two individuals accused of procuring large quantities of codeine phosphate-based syrup using fake licenses in 2022.

"The larger public interest in curbing the drug menace is paramount, as highlighted in surveys showing an alarming rise in substance abuse among youth such as 1.3 crore cannabis users and nearly 90% of pharmaceutical addiction cases," observed Special Judge (NDPS cases) Srinagar Vinod Kumar while dismissing the bail pleas filed by Rameez Yousuf Dar of Nowgam and Owais Amin Bhat of Rawalpora, both residents of Srinagar. "This Court cannot grant liberty to an accused ...