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ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 (APP):The Supreme Court has rejected the bail plea of Abdul Wadood, an accused in a case involving the smuggling of one kilogram of heroin, and directed the trial court to conclude the case and announce its verdict within 60 days.
The court further ruled that if the trial court fails to decide the case within the stipulated timeframe, the accused may apply for bail again on two separate occasions.
The hearing was conducted on Thursday by a two-member bench headed by Justice Jamal Mandokhail.
During the proceedings, the defense counsel argued that the case was fit for bail, claiming there was no video evidence, no solid proof, and no eyewitnesses against the accused. The lawyer also questioned the claim that the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) is a “superior agency,” asserting that this status should be critically examined.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that it must be determined which agency can truly be termed superior. The state counsel informed the court that a total of 10 kilograms of heroin had been recovered from a truck, while the defense maintained that the petitioner was merely the truck’s conductor and had been falsely implicated with one kilogram of heroin.
Justice Mandokhail observed that the ANF’s standard of investigation was better in the past but has since declined. He pointed out that the real owners of narcotics have yet to be apprehended, noting that informants often provide intelligence about vehicles used for smuggling but fail to identify the actual masterminds or alert authorities at the time of loading.
The judge clarified that it would be incorrect to suggest that the ANF is completely unaware of the main culprits, adding that courts cannot decide cases based on emotions. He further remarked that even one kilogram of heroin constitutes a substantial quantity.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court dismissed the bail application and instructed the trial court to decide the case within 60 days.