ANC SEEKS PERMISSION FROM GOVT TO FILE APPLICATION IN THE HIGH COURT TO CANCEL BAIL OF DUDU

PANJIM: With the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court at Mapusa dismissing the anti-narcotic cell's (ANC) application to cancel the bail granted to alleged Israeli drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu, the police have sought the state government's permission to file an application in the high court.

"We had sought the director of prosecution's opinion to file an application in the high court to cancel the bail granted to Dudu. It has now been forwarded to the special secretary (home) for his opinion," said a police official, on condition of anonymity.

Dudu was arrested by the police on charges of possessing narcotic drugs in 2010. In their application before the NDPS court, the ANC said that since they had filed the chargesheet in Dudu's case, his bail should be rejected on the ground that the material on record discloses that he was involved in an offence under the NDPS Act involving a commercial quantity. The ANC, in its application, also alleged that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the accused is likely to commit the offence again while on bail. Further, it was contended that the mere fact that the prosecution has defaulted in filing a chargesheet within the stipulated time could not ensure benefit to the accused, who the high court had observed is a "seasoned" drug peddler.

But the court observed that the application for cancellation of bail filed by ANC is liable to be dismissed.  The ANC had arrested Dudu at Anjuna with drugs worth Rs 3.81 lakh. According to ANC officials, the 34-year-old drug dealer has been in the narcotics trade in Goa for the last 12 years, but was arrested a couple of years ago on charges of overstaying. The ANC had set up a trap near St Anthony's Chapel at Praisvaddo, Anjuna, and Dudu was nabbed at the spot. The ANC had seized 144 ecstasy tablets weighing 55 gram worth Rs 1.10 lakh, heroin powder weighing 5 gram worth Rs 15,000, 6.5 grams of cocaine worth Rs 30,000, 7.30 grams liquid LSD worth Rs 1.10 lakh and 1.165 grams charas worth Rs 1,15,500. The total cost of the seized drugs was Rs 3,81,500. – TNN