My kids called terrorist's children after NIA said drug money used for terror strike: accused to SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court was on Thursday told that the children of the accused in Mundra drug haul case were being bullied in school after the National Investigation Agency alleged that the proceeds of crime in the case were used in terror attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Senior advocate C A Sundaram, appearing for accused Harpreet Singh Talwar alias Kabir Talwar, submitted before a bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and N Kotiswar Singh that a day earlier, during the hearing in the apex court, NIA's counsel referred to terror attacks on India, including Pahalgam, where the alleged funds were used.

"The submission was all over today's newspapers and media. Without any basis, the NIA made the statement in a NDPS case," Sundaram said.

The NIA on Wednesday opposed Talwar's bail plea. Talwar was arrested in connection with the Rs 21,000 crore Mundra port drug haul case. NIA said the proceeds of the sale were used for funding the activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Sundaram submitted that his client's children were bullied in school and are now called terrorist's children. He said his client's children are getting threat calls as the drug haul is linked with the Pahalgam terror attack.

The court sought to pacify the counsel, who was in the courtroom to make submissions in another matter.

"No family member of any person, whosoever committed or did not commit any wrong, should suffer," the bench said.

The court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was in the courtroom, "Take care of that part. We don't want to say anything more. You know very well what is to be done".

Mehta said that the investigation has revealed that the proceeds of this sale have gone to Lashkar-e-Taiba for terror activities and this is what has been reported by the newspapers.

The bench then told Sundaram, "Just don't read it. Forget it. I am not influenced by extraneous reasons."

Sundaram asked the court to clarify the situation, as the Pahalgam attack has nothing to do with this NDPS case.

Mehta said if the comments of the law officer hurt anybody, she would tender an apology.

The bench said, “Sometimes lawyers are carried away by emotions while arguing their cases. It happens on both sides".

The counsel insisted the claim by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati was made without any material. Bhati, who was also in court, said the children should not suffer due to the arguments made in the court.