The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the bail application of Delhi-based businessman Harpreet Singh Talwar, also known as Kabir Talwar, who has been implicated in the ₹21,000 crore Mundra Port drug haul case, considered one of the largest narcotics seizures in India’s history.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh declined Talwar’s request for bail but granted him the liberty to reapply after six months. The court also instructed the special court handling the case to list the matter twice a month to ensure the speedy completion of the trial.
The bench noted that allegations of terror financing against Talwar were “premature” at this stage of the proceedings. On April 23, the apex court had reserved its judgment after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) submitted that proceeds from the drug sale were allegedly used to fund the activities of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Talwar, a prominent figure in Delhi’s nightlife circuit known for running popular clubs, was arrested by the NIA in August 2022. His arrest followed the interception of a massive consignment at Mundra Port, Gujarat.
The case dates back to September 12, 2021, when containers originating from Afghanistan via Iran arrived at Mundra Port. Acting on intelligence inputs, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) inspected the consignment on September 13 and discovered bags filled with heroin camouflaged among semi-processed talc stones. The total haul weighed 2,988.21 kilograms and was valued at around ₹21,000 crore.
Subsequent investigations revealed this was the sixth and final consignment in the smuggling operation. Several arrests, including Afghan nationals, have been made in connection with the case.
The trial continues as authorities push for a swift resolution in what remains a landmark case in India’s fight against international drug trafficking.
