The Supreme Court has delivered a crucial verdict allowing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to shift a heroin smuggling case from a court in Punjab to a specialized NIA court in Gujarat. This decision comes in the wake of a significant drug haul at Mundra port, which captured national attention.

The case in question revolves around a massive seizure of 2,988 kilograms of heroin concealed within a talc powder consignment at Mundra port in Gujarat. This consignment, imported from Afghanistan, was intercepted by officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) back in September 2021. The magnitude of the discovery prompted a thorough investigation into the matter, revealing interlinkages with other related cases.

Highlighting the complexity of the situation, the Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the NIA, emphasized that multiple cases stemming from the Mundra port drug haul are intertwined and share a common cause of action. 

It was argued that conducting separate trials in different jurisdictions, particularly in Gujarat and Punjab, would not serve the interest of justice and might lead to prejudice against the investigative process.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising justices C T Ravikumar and Rajesh Bindal, acknowledged the NIA's plea and directed the transfer of the Punjab case to Ahmedabad for consolidated proceedings. This decision was reached after considering the interconnected nature of the cases and the need for an effective and coherent trial process.

Despite objections from the accused, who argued against transferring the trial to Gujarat, the Supreme Court upheld the NIA's stance. The Court's ruling signifies a crucial step towards streamlining the legal proceedings and ensuring a comprehensive investigation into the Mundra port drug seizure.

It's noteworthy that the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier entrusted the NIA with the probe into the Mundra port drug haul, underscoring the gravity of the matter and the necessity for a specialized investigative approach. 

Initially, the NIA had approached a Punjab court seeking the transfer of the case to Ahmedabad. However, the court had declined jurisdiction over the matter, prompting the NIA to seek redressal through the Supreme Court.

In Punjab, nine individuals had been named as accused in connection with the drug seizure, with trial proceedings set to commence in a special court in Hoshiarpur under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. 

The NIA, in its charge sheet filed in the Ahmedabad court, has included all the accused apprehended in Punjab and Delhi, further consolidating the legal proceedings.