Handwara narco-terror: Supreme Court grants bail to BSF official

The Supreme Court has granted bail to BSF assistant sub-inspector Romesh Kumar in connection with the Handwara narco-terror probe.

He allegedly connived with drug traffickers linked to terror groups when he was posted with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on deputation and investigated drug traffickers’ networks in Baramulla and Handwara regions.

“The appellant (Romesh Kumar) was arrested on 1st March 2021 and since then, he is in custody. There are 15 accused persons. Out of 361 prosecution witnesses, only six witnesses have been examined as of today. Thus, it is apparent that the trial is not likely to be concluded within a reasonable time,” said a Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan as it granted bail to the accused.

The Justice Oka-led Bench noted that no criminal antecedents of the appellant have been brought on record and when the trial is not likely to be concluded within a reasonable time, the accused should be enlarged on bail subject to stringent terms and conditions including the condition of deposit of passport and condition of regularly and punctually attending the trial proceedings for early disposal of the case.