Sponsoring terror an ‘expensive affair’: HC refuses bail to Akal Takht ex-Jathedar’s son

Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana high court denied bail to Gurmukh Singh -- son of former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode -- and Gurmej Singh in a narco-terrorism case related to smuggling of arms, explosives (including tiffin bombs), and narcotics from Pakistan via drones to fund terrorist activities in Punjab and other parts of India.A division bench comprising Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill and Justice Ramesh Kumari observed that sponsoring terrorism is an "expensive affair" and the charge is that heroin is being smuggled into the country from across the border, along with arms and ammunition, to fund terrorist activities."The facts brought on record by NIA, prima facie, prove the involvement of appellants in terrorist activities. Trial is in progress. Since they have links with persons across the border, who fund their activities, there are also chances of their absconding from trial," HC held while dismissing the appeals filed by Gurmukh and Gurmej. The court ordered an expeditious trial, and ordered police and prosecution to complete the prosecution evidence in a timely manner.NIA's prime allegations are that the accused were part of a larger conspiracy involving the "receipt, concealment, and distribution of arms, explosives, and terror funds intended to revive militancy in Punjab".Gurmukh's counsel argued that he was falsely implicated due to his family background and political reasons, and claimed that there was no direct recovery from his possession. NIA opposed the plea, asserting that evidence clearly pointed to his role in facilitating terrorist activities.The central agency submitted that the appellants were allegedly in contact with Lakhbir Singh Rode alias Baba, a declared terrorist and chief of a banned organisation. Gurmukh and Gurmej had approached HC after a Special NIA Court in Punjab rejected their bail applications.Dismissing their pleas, HC observed that both the appellants are "part of anti-national elements" who indulge in narco-terrorism, reflecting another dimension of anti-national activities wherein there is a nexus between narcotics and terrorism.The allegationsNIA alleges that multiple consignments were collected between June and August 2021, concealed at pre-decided locations across Punjab, and their locations shared through encrypted messaging platforms. During the investigation, authorities claimed to have recovered grenades, detonators, pistols, cartridges, explosive materials, large sums of cash, multiple passports, and vehicles from Gurmukh, which the prosecution alleged were intended for use in terrorist activities.MSID:: 126372554 413 |