Delhi High Court Weighs Bail Plea of Woman in International Drug Case Amid Mother’s Medical Emergency
NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court is presently reviewing an interim bail request filed by Shazia, an accused in a high-profile international drug trafficking case, who is seeking temporary release to care for her ailing mother ahead of a critical spinal surgery scheduled for July 2 at Holy Family Hospital.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora has asked the Delhi Police to submit a status report and provide the latest Nominal Roll of the petitioner by the next hearing, set for July 1. Shazia’s counsel emphasized her essential role in arranging financial support for the surgery and offering necessary caregiving during the medical procedure and recovery period.
The case originates from an FIR registered on February 10 by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, which alleges that the accused were part of a sophisticated narcotics network operating through drone drops along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, and Shazia is currently in judicial custody.
Adding to the urgency of her plea is the family’s fragile condition. Her father is undergoing cancer treatment, and her younger brother, only 12 years old, depends entirely on her for support. The family, according to her legal team, lacks any immediate assistance in Delhi.
However, Additional Public Prosecutor Laksh Khanna opposed the bail request, labeling Shazia a potential flight risk. He also noted that the petition did not mention the existence of her sister in Kashmir, who, he argued, could step in to care for their mother.
The investigation has already led to the arrest of Faheem Farook, from Kashmir, on February 9, with nearly one kilogram of narcotics recovered. Authorities allege links between the suspects and international operatives in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom, citing verified digital footprints as evidence.
The court’s upcoming decision will need to balance the compassion warranted by a medical emergency with the gravity of the charges and risks of judicial compromise.
