STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: CJM Kathua A.S Langeh on Saturday rejected the bail application of alleged willow smuggler namely Urad Ali, son of Abdul Aziz, resident of Jhajjarkotli, Tehsil Jammu.
According to the police case, a loaded truck (JK02AT-6277) which was being allegedly driven by petitioner reported at Toll Post, Lakhanpur for assessment during intervening night of 28th -29th of October, 2016. One Inspector Mohd Yunus assessed the truck for exemption of toll as the truck in question was loaded with apples consigned by M/S Gouria Fruit Growers 154-B, Fruit Market Shopian-Kashmir to M/S Durga Trading Company, 56-C Fruit Mandi Biznore (UP) vide Challan No. 1006 dated 26th October 2016. On weighing it is alleged that contradiction was noticed between Challan weight of the truck as declared by its driver, the petitioner and actual weight of the truck in question, therefore it was subjected to physical check up during which 4,575 willow clefts were recovered from the truck in question which were concealed into the boxes and were being clandestinely exported outside the State. Subsequently, complainant Muzaffar Hussain Wani, Excise and Taxation Officer Toll Post, Lakhanpur reported the incident to Police Station, Lakhanpur along with letter of Deputy Commissioner, Excise, Lakhanpur where FIR No. 103 of 2016 for offences under sections 420 of RPC, sections 6 and 16 of Forest Act and section 3 of Willow Clefts Act-was registered.
CJM Kathua Amarjeet Singh Langeh after hearing both the sides observed that involvement of all the players in the smuggling of Willow Clefts in question and the net working of entire crime ring is therefore yet to be investigated. The alleged occurrence it appears has interstate ramifications and all crucial aspects of likely culprits are yet to be investigated. Investigation, therefore, is at initial stage and grant of bail to petitioner at this stage will have adverse backlash on the ongoing investigation in the case. With this observation court rejected the bail application.