18-year-old drug case ends in conviction, man who jumped bail gets 3-year jail term

In a significant culmination of an 18-year-old narcotics case, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu Zonal Unit, has secured the conviction of Kunnu Bharti @ Abhinandan, who had jumped bail granted in 2010 and remained beyond the reach of the trial for several years, NCB said today.

The case pertains to NCB Jammu Crime No. 04/2008. On 3rd December 2008, NCB recovered 960 grams of charas from the conscious possession of the accused in the Kashmir Basti area of Jammu. The contraband was concealed in a packet kept inside a white polythene bag.

During the course of the trial, the accused jumped bail granted in 2010, resulting in the proceedings against him remaining pending. In a significant breakthrough, NCB Jammu subsequently traced him to Amphalla Jail, Jammu, and secured his production before the competent Court in August 2025, thereby bringing him back within the judicial process.

Following sustained legal proceedings, the Court of Sessions, Special Judge (NDPS Cases), Jammu, vide order dated 11th August 2026, sentenced Kunnu Bharti @ Abhinandan to three years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹10,000. In default of payment of the fine, he will undergo a further two months’ rigorous imprisonment.

The Court further directed that, before his release, the convict furnish a bond of ₹20,000 under Section 34 of the NDPS Act, undertaking not to repeat such offences in future, NCB stated.

The conviction marks the successful conclusion of a case dating back nearly 18 years and demonstrates NCB Jammu’s resolve to pursue drug offenders even where they attempt to evade the judicial process by jumping bail.

NCB reiterates its appeal to citizens to join the fight against drug trafficking. Information regarding the sale, transportation or trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances may be shared through MANAS – National Narcotics Helpline, Toll-Free No. 1933. The identity of informers is kept strictly confidential.