SRINAGAR: Courts in Jammu and Kashmir have delivered three significant outcomes in criminal cases, including the conviction of three accused in a heroin case and rejection of bail pleas in separate drug and fraud matters, the Prosecution Department said on Wednesday.
In the first case, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Poonch, Susheel Singh convicted Sherbaz Ahmed, Anzar Ahmed and Rafiq Azam on October 6 under Section 8/21(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in FIR No. 56/2022 registered at Police Station Mendhar.
The court found that four kilograms of heroin, categorised as a commercial quantity, had been recovered in the case.
Public Prosecutor Pankaj Sethi examined 27 of the 29 prosecution witnesses, including members of the naka party, Malkhana and link witnesses and a forensic expert.
The prosecution said the Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed the presence of diacetylmorphine, commonly known as heroin, in all the samples. The court held that discrepancies relating to peripheral aspects of the case did not undermine the prosecution’s core evidence.
Arguments on the sentence have been scheduled for October 7.
In a separate case on October 5, Special Judge (NDPS Cases), Jammu, Parvaiz Iqbal rejected the regular bail application of Mohd Mangal Hussain in FIR No. 35/2026 registered at Police Station Miran Sahib.
Special Public Prosecutor Sunil Kumar opposed the bail plea, submitting that the case involved a commercial quantity of narcotics and was therefore subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 37 of the NDPS Act.
The prosecution also argued that Hussain could return to drug peddling or interfere with evidence if released on bail.
The court found that the bail application was subject to the stringent requirements of Section 37. It noted that charges had already been framed on September 17, 2026, on the basis of prima facie material indicating a conspiracy involving the accused and co-accused, from whom 268.59 grams of heroin had allegedly been recovered.
In the third matter, Judicial Magistrate 1st Class (Munsiff), Jammu, Rekha Sharma rejected the bail application of Raman Kumar on October 6 in FIR No. 260/2026 registered at Police Station Satwari under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Assistant Public Prosecutor Palak Sharma opposed the application, citing allegations of prolonged fraud between 2021 and 2023 on the promise of providing government employment.
The prosecution also referred to similar FIRs against Kumar, his residence being around three kilometres from the complainant and the possibility of him intimidating witnesses or tampering with electronic evidence.
The court observed that the accused appeared to be a repeat offender and noted that the investigation was still incomplete. It also found a significant likelihood of witnesses being influenced if bail was granted.
The Prosecution Department said the three outcomes reflected the work of its prosecutors in preparing cases, presenting evidence and opposing bail applications where the circumstances warranted it. It said its efforts were aimed at addressing drug-related offences and protecting citizens from fraudulent activities.
