Jammu court sentences drug convict to three years after 18-year case

A special NDPS court in Jammu has sentenced Kunnu Bharti, also known as Abhinandan, to three years in prison following a narcotics case that began 18 years ago. The conviction stems from a 2008 operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the Kashmir Basti area of Jammu, where 960 grams of charas were recovered from the accused.

The legal proceedings faced significant delays after Bharti secured bail in 2010 and subsequently failed to appear for trial. The NCB Jammu Zonal Unit eventually located him in Amphalla Jail, allowing him to be produced before the court in August 2025.

In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional two months of rigorous imprisonment. Bharti is also required to furnish a Rs 20,000 bond under Section 34 of the NDPS Act as a condition for his eventual release, pledging to refrain from future offenses.