Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 31: Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Kathua Amarjeet Singh Langeh has rejected the bail applications of Vikram Singh and Jagbir Singh, who were allegedly involved in smuggling of willow clefts.
After hearing both the sides, the court observed, “evidence collected in the investigation thus far indicates that there is an organized network involved in smuggling/ export of willow clefts from State which proclivity has interstate ramifications and all crucial leads on the point need to be investigated”.
“Grant of bail to petitioners at this stage shall have adverse backlash on the ongoing investigation, particularly when offence under Section 471 of RPC carries punishment up to life imprisonment and other offences involved are non-bailable in nature”, the court further observed, adding “mere fact of recovery of such a huge consignment of willow clefts speaks volumes about gravity of offences involved, especially when petitioners dared the system and had a field day in managing to transport such a huge consignment of willow clefts in question up to Lakhanpur—last station that borders state of Punjab”.
With these observations, court rejected the bail application.
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