HC denies bail to drug lord's wife

Alleged drug lord Sharafat Sheikh's wife, who has been in judicial custody since June 2006 on charges of being part of an organised crime syndicate, has been denied bail by the Delhi High Court.

Observing that Zohra Sheikh has been "roped in" on very serious charges including possessing unaccounted wealth on behalf of the crime syndicate, the HC said if let out on bail, "she may tamper with the witnesses and the evidence" considering the stakes for her and her husband. Justice Vipin Sanghi said in such a case where the "nature and gravity of accusations" are so serious, grant of regular bail "may have an adverse impact not only in the progress of the case, but also on the trust that the society has reposed in the criminal justice system".

It noted that Sharafat's second wife had disclosed that she had married him knowing that he has been arrested for his role in several criminal cases ranging from possession of drugs to criminal intimidation under the Arms Act.