Jammu, Oct 08 :
The Court of Special Judge (NDPS Cases), Jammu, has rejected the regular bail application of a woman accused in a drug trafficking case, observing that the material available on record prima facie indicated her alleged role as a “kingpin” in an illicit drug-trafficking network.
The order was passed by Special Judge (NDPS Cases) Parvaiz Iqbal on October 6, 2026, in connection with a case registered at Police Station Bahu Fort, Jammu.
According to the prosecution, the case came to light after police intercepted co-accused Vishal Kumar near Wave Mall, Narwal, Jammu, on October 8, 2025. During the search, police allegedly recovered 275 grams of heroin-like substance along with a digital weighing machine.
During the course of investigation, police alleged that Vishal Kumar disclosed that the contraband had been procured from the woman accused, identified as Reena.
Following her arrest, police claimed to have recovered 55 grams of heroin-like substance, ₹33,490 in cash and a digital weighing machine from an almirah at her residence in Rajeev Nagar, Narwal, Jammu. The recovery was stated to have been conducted pursuant to a search warrant.
The prosecution strongly opposed the bail application, contending that the accused was allegedly involved in the supply and trafficking of narcotic substances and that her release could create a risk of tampering with evidence or repeating similar offences.
While examining the bail plea, the Court noted that the total recovery in the case falls within the commercial quantity category, thereby attracting the stringent conditions prescribed under Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The Court observed that the material placed before it included the alleged recoveries, statements recorded during the investigation, statements of prosecution witnesses and bank account details. According to the Court, the material available at the present stage was sufficient to prima facie support the prosecution’s case regarding the applicant’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
The Court also noted that offences under Section 27-A of the NDPS Act and Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) had already been found not prima facie made out against Reena, and she had been discharged from those provisions. However, the Court held that such discharge did not automatically entitle her to bail on the remaining charges.
The Court further took note of the prosecution’s submission that multiple FIRs relating to drug trafficking had allegedly been registered against Reena since 2016, and that she had also previously undergone preventive detention.
Referring to judgments of the Supreme Court, including Narcotics Control Bureau v. Mohit Aggarwal, State of Meghalaya v. Lalrintluanga Sailo and NCB v. Kashif, the Court reiterated the strict requirements applicable to bail matters involving commercial quantities of narcotic substances.
Under Section 37 of the NDPS Act, the Court noted, an accused facing such charges has to satisfy the twin conditions that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty of the alleged offence and that the accused is unlikely to commit any offence while on bail.
“The accused-applicant does not succeed in overcoming the rigor of Section 37 NDPS Act,” the Court held.
The Court further observed that, at the present stage of the trial, it was not possible to form an opinion that the accused would not re-indulge in similar offences if released on bail.
Consequently, the regular bail application was rejected and dismissed by the Court.
Advocates Tanveer Khan and Arif Zarger appeared on behalf of the applicant, while Sunil Kumar, Special Public Prosecutor, represented the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.(KNC)