Court grants bail to man held for 18 months in NDPS case, flags investigation lapses

A Delhi court has granted bail to an accused in a narcotics case, citing serious procedural lapses by the investigating agency, including the failure to record public proceedings on video and non-seizure of critical evidence.

Special Judge (NDPS) Atul Ahlawat, Patiala House Courts, granted bail to Praveen Kumar, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) in June 2024 and remained in custody for nearly 18 months. He was ordered to be released on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two local sureties.

In his October 17 order, the judge noted that although the CBN had prior intelligence, the raid — conducted in a public area with independent witnesses — was not videographed, casting “a shadow of doubt” over the proceedings. The court also questioned why the red American Tourister bag allegedly containing the drugs was not seized and criticised the failure to issue notices or record statements of the panch witnesses.

Kumar’s counsel, Advocate Arpit Batra, argued that the accused had been falsely implicated and that no recovery was made from him. The court noted the trial had not yet begun and held the investigative lapses created substantial doubt over the prosecution’s version.