Varanasi Fast-Track Court Schedules February 9 Hearing in High-Value Property Forfeiture Case
The fast-track court (FTC) of additional district judge (14th Finance Commission) in Varanasi has set February 9 as the date for hearing a significant plea that seeks clarification on whether multiple forfeiture actions can be imposed on the same property. This legal development comes in a case involving substantial assets valued at over Rs 30 crore.
Case Background and Asset Details
The case centers around the attachment of both movable and immovable assets belonging to Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, who is the father of Shubham Jaiswal, identified as a codeine cough syrup smuggling kingpin. These valuable properties have been targeted by both Sonbhadra and Varanasi police departments in coordinated enforcement actions.
Following Tuesday's proceedings in the court presided over by ADJ (14th Finance Commission) Manoj Kumar, special public prosecution (NDPS) Arvind Srivastava provided crucial insights into the case developments. Srivastava revealed that after Bhola Prasad Jaiswal filed an objection against the forfeiture of his properties by both police departments, he specifically demanded that the court direct Sonbhadra police to produce a comprehensive list of properties they had attached.
Legal Proceedings and Prosecution's Position
The prosecution team, led by Srivastava, strongly opposed Bhola's demand during the hearing. The prosecution specifically sought the disposal of Bhola's objection against the forfeiture of his movable and immovable properties during Tuesday's session itself. However, after considering both sides' arguments and the complexities involved, the court decided to schedule the next hearing for February 9 to allow proper examination of the legal questions raised.
In the past two weeks, law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts, with Sonbhadra and Varanasi police successfully ensuring the forfeiture of Bhola's properties and the freezing of his bank accounts in Varanasi. The cumulative value of these targeted movable and immovable properties has now exceeded Rs 30 crores, making this one of the significant asset forfeiture cases in the region.
Defendant's Custody and Arrest Timeline
Earlier developments in the case saw Bhola Prasad Jaiswal being produced before the Varanasi fast-track court on Monday after being transported from Sonbhadra jail on warrant B. Following this appearance, the FTC ordered his transfer to Varanasi district jail under judicial custody, where he currently remains detained.
The defendant's legal troubles began when he was apprehended at Kolkata airport on November 29, 2025, while attempting to board a flight destined for Thailand. Authorities subsequently brought him to Sonbhadra on transit remand on December 2, and he has been lodged at Sonbhadra jail since that time until his recent transfer to Varanasi for court proceedings.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to target assets linked to illegal activities, particularly in the context of drug smuggling operations. The February 9 hearing is expected to provide important clarifications on procedural aspects of property forfeiture when multiple jurisdictions are involved in enforcement actions.
