Nearly 4 kg cocaine-mixed powder, 80 gm charas and psychotropic tablets recovered from parcel sent to Safapora resident

Ganderbal, Aug 10: Ganderbal Police have foiled an alleged conspiracy to frame a Safapora resident in a false drug case, arresting his wife’s former partner and recovering a narcotics consignment that was allegedly sent to implicate him.

Police Station Safapora received credible information on August 8 regarding a suspicious parcel dispatched from outside the Union Territory and addressed to a resident of Safapora. A case under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was subsequently registered and an investigation was taken up.

The parcel was intercepted at the Safapora Post Office and opened as per procedure in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, FSL and Crime teams, along with the sniffer dog squad.

The suspected contraband was seized and samples were sent for confirmatory analysis. The examination confirmed the material to be approximately 4 kg of cocaine-mixed powder, 80 grams of charas and psychotropic tablets, police said.

During the investigation, police established that the consignment had allegedly been arranged as part of a conspiracy to falsely implicate the addressee in a drug case.

Investigators found the alleged involvement of the man’s wife’s former partner, who had reportedly arranged the consignment through a contact based outside the Union Territory.

The accused, identified as Tariq Ahmad Sofi of Zainakot, Srinagar, has been apprehended.

Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the narcotics, identify the wider network and ascertain the role of other persons involved in the alleged conspiracy.

Police said further arrests and disclosures are expected as the investigation progresses.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the boy accidentally fell into the river, following which locals launched a search operation.

He said the body was later retrieved from the water and handed over to police for further proceedings.

The deceased was identified as Abuzar (02), son of Ishtiyaq Ahmad Shilla, a resident of Sansooma, Achabal.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident.—(KNO)

Issuing notice on the petition, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed that the situation was “very concerning” and ultimately required an effective response from the law-and-order machinery.

Chief Justice Kant referred to the inflow of narcotics into Punjab from foreign countries, while Justice Bagchi flagged the cross-border dimension of drug trafficking, particularly given India’s international borders and its proximity to the Golden Crescent. He referred in this context to Afghanistan and Myanmar and observed that these aspects were relevant to the issue raised before the Court.

The PIL, filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, seeks a series of directions to strengthen investigation, prosecution, sentencing and rehabilitation mechanisms under the NDPS Act, including time-bound investigation and trial of narcotics cases, confiscation of properties of traffickers and a uniform investigation protocol across the country.

The petitioner has sought mandatory timelines for submission of Forensic Science Laboratory reports and Standard Operating Procedures governing search, seizure, and sampling in NDPS cases. It also seeks the constitution of Special Courts under Sections 36 and 36A of the Act for expeditious investigation and trial.

Among other prayers, the petition seeks mandatory digital recording and videography of search, seizure, and sampling proceedings and constitution of an expert committee for identification and timely scheduling of New Psychoactive Substances.

The PIL has also sought the establishment of rehabilitation and wellness centres for the treatment of drug addicts and a graded sentencing policy providing stricter punishment for traffickers, financiers, and organised drug syndicates while distinguishing addicts and personal-use offenders.

It further seeks time-bound identification and confiscation of properties and proceeds of drug trafficking under the NDPS Act and other applicable laws, besides a direction to the Law Commission to undertake a comprehensive examination of the issue.

The petitioner has contended that the absence of uniform investigation standards, delays in forensic reports, inadequate Special Courts, and insufficient rehabilitation infrastructure have weakened enforcement of the NDPS Act.

The plea asserts that drug trafficking has nationwide ramifications for public health and families and also fuels organised crime and terror financing, requiring a coordinated national framework for investigation, prosecution, sentencing, and rehabilitation.

In a statement issued to media, a spokesperson said the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir, has presented a charge-sheet before the competent court against 10 accused persons, including nine public servants and one private contractor, in a case relating to alleged misappropriation of government store material, fraudulent release of a security deposit, forgery, abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy in connection with the construction of a steel bridge at Lastiyal-Kalaroose, Kupwara.

He said the case originated from an Open Verification conducted by the erstwhile Vigilance Organization Kashmir into allegations of loss to the State exchequer by the beneficiary contractor in connivance with officials of PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara.

The spokesperson said investigation revealed that the bridge work was allotted to contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone in September 2010, with stipulated completion within three months. The contractor commenced the work after considerable delay, executed only part of the work and subsequently abandoned the project. Departmental store material comprising cement and steel remained unaccounted for/unrecovered, valued at approximately Rs 5.63 lakh.

He said investigation further revealed fraudulent release and encashment of the contractor’s CDR amounting to Rs 73,000 on the basis of a forged communication purportedly issued by the competent departmental authority. The investigation also brought on record alleged irregular release of Bill Deposits amounting to Rs 81,400 despite outstanding government liabilities, besides lapses on the part of engineering and accounts officials in safeguarding government material, enforcing contractual conditions and ensuring recovery of government dues.

“Thereby a total loss of Rs 7,12,150 to state exchequer was caused by accused public servants in connivance with contractor.”

The spokesperson said after completion of investigation, requisite sanction for prosecution against the in-service accused public servants was accorded by the competent authority.

Accordingly, on the basis of the oral, documentary, scientific and other evidence collected during investigation, the following 10 accused persons have been charge-sheeted:

Abdul Majeed Malik – then Helper/Assistant Cashier, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; Ghulam Rasool Lone – then Cashier/Senior Assistant, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; Mohammad Sultan Sheikh (Retd.) – then Executive Engineer, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; Er. Ajit Singh Chopra (Retd.) – then Executive Engineer, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; Er. Nazir Ahmad Shah (Retd.) – then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; Er. Abdul Rashid Dar (Retd.) – then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; Er. Manzoor Ahmad Sumji – then Junior Engineer, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; Gh. Qadir Bhat (Retd.) – then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; Abdul Hamid Dar – then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara; and Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone – private contractor/beneficiary.

The spokesperson said all 10 accused persons were presented before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, today along with the charge-sheet and were admitted to bail upon furnishing bail and surety bonds as directed by the Court. The Court has fixed November 25, 2026 as the next date of hearing.—(KNO)

A Spokesperson said that Police Station Khanyar attached the property of Fayaz Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Hussain Dar resident of Ichgam, Budgam, in connection with FIR No. 04/2026 under Sections 8/21 of the NDPS Act. The attached property comprises a two-storeyed residential house with an attic structure along with 05 Kanals and 17 Marlas of land, bearing Khasra nos. 415/416, situated at Ichgam, Budgam, with an estimated market value of approximately ₹4 Crores. The property has been attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, 1985, after being identified as an illegally acquired asset, allegedly derived from the proceeds of narcotic drug trafficking.

The attachment is part of the ongoing efforts of J&K Police to dismantle the financial networks of drug traffickers and deprive them of assets generated through the illicit drug trade. Such action reflects the commitment of Srinagar Police to target not only the supply of narcotics but also the financial infrastructure that sustains drug trafficking.

Police reiterates its unwavering commitment to the making the city drug-free and will continue sustained and stringent action against drug traffickers, their associates and illicit assets.

The arrests were made two days after the CIK conducted raids at multiple locations across the Kashmir Valley in connection with FIR No. 03/2023 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Sections 505 and 153-A of the IPC and Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

During the raids conducted on Saturday, investigators seized six digital devices and seven SIM cards for detailed examination, officials said.

The two suspects arrested were identified as Mehran Qazi, a resident of Hiller Shahbad, Dooru, Anantnag, and Babar Hamid Dar, a resident of Chankan, Sopore.

According to officials, the case relates to the dissemination of radical and anti-national content through social media platforms.

During the course of the investigation, the two arrested persons were allegedly found to have shared content carrying radical and anti-national overtones, including radical narratives, glorification and projection of individuals associated with terrorism, propagation of extremist viewpoints, and narratives that could potentially influence or radicalise impressionable minds.

The investigation is underway, while the seized digital material is being examined in accordance with law, officials said.

Police received information about the alleged incident around noon on Sunday, following which an investigation was immediately initiated to ascertain the circumstances of the case and identify those involved.

During the course of the investigation, police identified two suspects who, according to officials, were not previously known to the minor.

A senior police officer said the two accused were apprehended during overnight raids conducted at different locations as part of the investigation.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of law, including sections applicable to offences against children, and further investigation is underway.

Police said efforts are continuing to establish all facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident. [KNT]

According to SDRF, upon receiving information from Police Post Nehru Park regarding the sinking of the houseboat, the QRT promptly reached the spot and initiated rescue and relief measures.

The family members of the houseboat owner as well as tourists onboard were safely evacuated, They said.

The QRT also carried out dewatering operations on the houseboat. No untoward incident was reported in the incident, SDRF added.