A special court in Jammu and Kashmir has firmly rejected the interim bail application of an alleged overground worker (OGW) for the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terror outfit, who sought release to attend his mother-in-law's last rites. The court, dismissing the plea on December 19, 2025, underscored the gravity of the charges and the accused's criminal history as grounds for denial.
Court Cites Severity of Charges and Criminal Past
The accused, identified as Mohammad Rafi alias Lala, had petitioned the court for a 20-day interim bail on religious grounds to participate in the funeral ceremonies. However, the prosecution strongly opposed this plea, labeling Rafi a "habitual offender" and a "C-category OGW of Lashkar-e-Toiba."
Authorities presented a detailed investigation report from the State Investigation Agency (SIA) outlining his alleged deep involvement in cross-border criminal activities. The report stated that during a raid on his residence in Dhana Doiyan, Mandi tehsil of border Poonch district, investigators made staggering recoveries. These included more than Rs 2.30 crore in cash, USD 15,000, seven kilograms of heroin, and one kilogram of cocaine.
The prosecution emphasized that Rafi's legal troubles are not new. He faces multiple cases under stringent laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Arms Act, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985, with some dating back to 2012 and 2014. Shockingly, the report also alleged that he continued his criminal operations even while incarcerated.
Prosecution's Arguments Against Bail
In its opposition, the prosecution laid out several compelling reasons for denying bail. First, they argued that the offences in question fall under special statutes like UAPA and NDPS Act, which impose a stringent bar on granting bail due to their serious nature.
Second, they highlighted that Rafi, residing near the Line of Control (LoC), presented a significant "flight risk." There was a genuine apprehension that if released, he could abscond across the border. Furthermore, the prosecution contended he could potentially influence, threaten, or coerce witnesses in the ongoing case against him.
Third, they challenged the very basis of the bail plea. The prosecution asserted that the funeral ceremonies cited neither legally mandated his compulsory presence nor justified a 20-day release period. They termed the application a strategic attempt to "secure bail under the guise of ritual obligations."
Court's Final Ruling and Parallel Action Against Drug Networks
The court, after considering all arguments, accepted the prosecution's stand in its entirety. It ruled that the seriousness of the terror and drug-related charges, coupled with the accused's extensive criminal record and the statutory restrictions in place, made any interim relief impermissible. The judge observed that the applicant failed to meet the necessary legal threshold and did not deserve the concession of bail. Consequently, the application was dismissed and ordered to be tagged with the main case.
In a related development underscoring the crackdown on organised crime in the region, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday attached a property valued at over Rs 12 lakh. The single-storey house in Kathua district belonged to Javed Akhter, a resident of Lohai Malhar in Billawar tehsil, alleged to be a habitual drug peddler. Officials stated this action, confirmed by the Competent Authority under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act, marks a significant step in dismantling the financial infrastructure of drug trafficking networks in Jammu and Kashmir.
