Jammu, Jul 16: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has refused bail to a juvenile accused in a “serious narco-terrorism” case, citing grave nature of offences and national security concerns.
The juvenile, whose identity is withheld in compliance with legal provisions, was apprehended in connection with a narco-terror case investigated by State Investigation Agency (SIA) registered at Police Station Samba/SIA Jammu. The case involves grave offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act U(A)PA, NDPS Act, Arms Act, Foreigners Act, and the Enemy Agents Ordinance.
Although a minor at the time of arrest, the Juvenile Justice Board declared the accused to be tried as an adult on the severity of the offences and his demonstrated maturity. The High Court, presided by Justice Rajesh Sekhri, upheld the trial court’s decision denying bail under Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
The court observed that the accused was allegedly a key part of an organized narco-terror module, and allowing him to benefit from the leniencies of juvenile law would be contrary to public interest and national security.
“Narco-terrorism is no longer confined to drug-weapon smuggling. The use of narcotics as a terror currency and the cross-border smuggling of narcotics and terror activities have, of late, become a new front of proxy war, unleashed by the adversary from across the border. A dual strategy of sending across drugs and weapons is being employed by the enemy to threaten economic security of the country, incite subversive activities and disrupt the social fabric.”
With these findings, the High Court concluded that juveniles are not entitled to the benefit of bail under the Juvenile Justice Act, due to the grave and organized nature of alleged offences. The bail application was accordingly dismissed.
