25-kg weed, diamonds worth ₹1.6 crore seized from smugglers at CSMI Airport
The AIU, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a couple arriving from Bangkok and seized 24.96 kilograms of hydroponic weed worth ₹24.66 crore from their luggage. The couple revealed the identity of a dealer who was waiting outside the airport to collect the consignment. Subsequently, the dealer was arrested. During interrogation, he revealed that he was a resident of Bhayender and that he was merely working on instructions. The three accused, booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, are remanded in judicial custody. The accused are allegedly a part of an international drug trafficking syndicate. The police said they are investigating the case.
In the second case, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted a passenger departing for Dubai on Tuesday and seized 50,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to ₹11.14 lakh, 406.90 grams of lab-grown diamonds worth ₹47.22 lakh, and 245.3 grams of natural diamonds worth ₹1.24 crore. The seized material is worth a total of ₹1.71 crore. Subsequently, the passenger was arrested.
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Indian Express
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Punjab and Haryana HC grants bail to drugs case accused as Punjab Police miss chargesheet deadline
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday granted default bail to a man charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act case, citing the prosecution's failure to file the chargesheet within the statutory period of 180 days. Chief Justice Sheel Nagu passed the order in a petition filed by Lakhbir Singh, who was arrested in connection with FIR No. 61 dated July 14, 2021, registered at the Khalra Police Station in Punjab's Tarn Taran district. Rejecting the Punjab Government's argument that the petitioner had criminal antecedents and multiple cases under the NDPC Act registered against him, Chief Justice noted, 'In the case of default bail, the Court cannot enter into allegations on merits'. The court ordered Lakhbir Singh's release on furnishing bail bonds of Rs 1,00,000 with one surety of the same amount, to the satisfaction of the illaqa or duty magistrate concerned. In a unique condition imposed along with the bail, the petitioner was directed to plant 10 saplings of indigenous species in a public place and submit photographic proof to the trial court within 15 days. Failure to do so, or submission of false proof, would entitle the State to move for cancellation of bail. While granting bail, the court kept the petition pending, and sought a report from the prosecution explaining why it failed to complete the investigation of such a serious offence within the stipulated timeframe. The case will be listed again on August 28 for compliance. Singh was charged under multiple stringent provisions — sections 21-C, 27-A, and 29 (relating to commercial quantity of drugs, financing drug trafficking, and criminal conspiracy) of the NDPS Act, sections 25, 27, and 30 (illegal possession and use of arms) of the Arms Act, and sections 212, 216, and 109 (harbouring offenders and abetment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to the case details, Singh was arrested on September 6, 2024, and the prosecution filed the chargesheet on March 6, 2025 — one day beyond the 180-day limit mandated under Section 167(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for offences under the NDPS Act.
The Hindu
42 minutes ago
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Centre opposes lowering age of consent, cites risk of trafficking, abuse
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News18
2 hours ago
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Real Life 'Munna Bhai MBBS'? Fake Assam Doctor Who Performed 50 C-Sections Arrested
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