HC denies bail to two foreign nationals in cocaine case

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has denied bail to a Tanzanian and a Kenyan national arrested in Jaipur for allegedly possessing cocaine and overstaying their student visas, while expressing concern over the increasing number of foreign nationals residing illegally in the state and their alleged involvement in criminal activities.

Justice Ravi Chirania, Monday, dismissed the bail applications of Eudo Komba, a Tanzanian national, and Margret Kazung, a Kenyan national, who were arrested in connection with an FIR registered at Jawahar Circle police station in 2025. The order, uploaded Tuesday, pertains to offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Foreigners Act.

Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Mohit Sharma argued that both accused had entered India on student visas and were pursuing studies at the University of Rajasthan. He contended that the police had allegedly recovered only 4.26gm of cocaine from them, significantly below the commercial quantity threshold of 100gm prescribed under the NDPS Act.

Opposing the plea, Additional Solicitor General Bharat Vyas submitted that both accused had continued to stay in India even after the expiry of their student visas without obtaining the required extensions. He told the court that the duo was found in possession of cocaine during a police raid at a Jaipur hotel and had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for their illegal stay.

During the hearing, an officer of the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Jaipur, informed the court that more than 15,000 foreign nationals were allegedly staying illegally in Rajasthan. The officer also stated that several such individuals had been found involved in unlawful activities, including narcotics-related offences.

Taking note of the allegations, the court observed that the accused were found with a contraband substance and had overstayed their visas without justification. Citing these factors and concerns over illegal residency by foreign nationals, the court held that the case did not warrant grant of bail and dismissed the applications.