SRINAGAR : An 18-year-old narcotics case has finally reached its conclusion with a special NDPS court in Jammu sentencing Kunnu Bharti alias Abhinandan to three years in prison and imposing a fine of Rs 10,000.
The case relates to the recovery of 960 grams of charas from Bharti in the Kashmir Basti area of Jammu on December 3, 2008, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said.
The contraband was recovered from a polythene bag allegedly found in his possession during an operation by the NCB.
The trial, however, remained pending for years after Bharti, who had secured bail in 2010, failed to remain available to face the proceedings.
The NCB said its Jammu unit eventually traced him to Amphalla jail, following which he was produced before the concerned court in August 2025. The circumstances or case under which he was lodged in the jail were not immediately available.
The prolonged legal proceedings concluded on August 11 when the special NDPS court found Bharti guilty and awarded him three years’ imprisonment along with the fine.
The court has further ordered that failure to deposit the fine would attract an additional two months of rigorous imprisonment.
As a condition before his eventual release, Bharti has also been directed to furnish a Rs 20,000 bond under Section 34 of the NDPS Act, undertaking to refrain from committing similar offences.
The NCB described the verdict as the culmination of a case that had remained in the judicial system for nearly two decades, saying the development reflected its efforts to track down accused persons who evade court proceedings after securing bail.
The agency has meanwhile urged people to share information related to the sale, movement or trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances through the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline or toll-free number 1933. It said the identity of those providing information would be kept confidential.
