197kg heroin seizure: Court issues Anwar Masih’s arrest warrant

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 3

The court of Additional Sessions Judge Pushpinder Singh on Tuesday issued arrest warrant of former Punjab sub ordinate staff selection board member Anwar Masih in connection with the seizure 197kg of heroin by Special Task Force in January last year.

Three days ago, the court had rejected his bail and asked him to surrender before the court on August 3.

Nevertheless, he failed to appear in the court and his lawyer reportedly demanded extension of period for surrendering on the basis of health grounds.

An official of STF said that they would collect the arrest warrant from court tomorrow and would arrest Masih.

The STF had arrested Masih in the seizure of 197kg of heroin from a residential complex allegedly belonging to him last year. He was out on interim bail in the case on the basis of health grounds.

The court had earlier rejected his application of getting regular bail and asked him to surrender in Amritsar Central Jail. Following this, he had filed an application before the court seeking further 10-day time for surrender.

On July 14, Masih attempted suicide when he along with several Christian organisations was protesting against alleged harassment by a former AIG and three DSP rank officials of STF.

They were demanding quashing of case registered against him in connection with seizure of contraband from the residential building in Akash Avenue located in Sultanwind village on January 31, 2020.

As the building belonged to Anwar Masih, the STF booked him under Section 25 of the NDPS Act (owner of the place where drug trade is being carried out is responsible for the premises).

The STF had seized 197-kg heroin and narcotic material and arrested around 20 persons including an Afghan national in the case. Masih had claimed that he had sold the house and he was unaware about any drug factory being run from the premises.