Cross-border narcotics network busted in Jammu; most-wanted drug lord arrested
Jammu, Apr 15 (PTI): The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday said a major narcotics network with interstate and cross-border links was busted with the arrest of most-wanted drug kingpin Gulzar Ahmad alias Lau Gujjar along with several of his associates.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Jammu) Joginder Singh said Gujjar had been supplying narcotics in bulk quantities across the region, and evading capture for more than two decades, terming his arrest a major breakthrough.
"He was a hardcore criminal and a key figure in the drug supply chain. His network has now been fully identified and dismantled," the SSP told reporters here.
He said Gujjar entered the criminal world as a bovine smuggler in 2006 before launching himself into drug trade around 2016, and scaling up operations by 2019.
ALSO READ: Stand-up comedian Anudeep Katikala held in Prayagraj for joke on AP DCM Pawan Kalyan
A Pakistan-made pistol was recovered from his possession at the time of his arrest on April 4, the SSP said, adding that three of his associated were also arrested and more than 700 grams of heroin was seized.
Interrogation of around 10 more suspects linked to the network is underway, while around two dozen other suspects have been identified and are under surveillance, he said.
SSP Singh said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a superintendent of police rank officer has been constituted to probe the case, who would examine forward and backward linkages of the network including financial trails and assets created through illicit trade.
The police are trying to ascertain the source and the routes through which these illicit supplies entered India -- whether through Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir or through other border areas, he said.
Singh said the weapon recovered from the accused drug lord indicates a Pakistan link. "We are investigating that aspect as well, pointing towards broader narco-terror angle."
ALSO READ: Police inspector suspended in UP's Ballia for making 'obscene' remarks against rape survivor
The SSP said Gujjar was wanted in at least 28 cases in Jammu district alone and dozens of FIRs are registered against him in other states under different identities.
Highlighting the crackdown against drug syndicates, he said police have so far registered 103 cases related to drug peddling in Jammu district this year.
Out of these, nine cases involve commercial quantities of contraband.
Nearly 11 kg of heroin has been seized, along with poppy husk, ganja, controlled medication capsules, and other such contraband, he said, adding around 20 driving licences have been cancelled, and nearly 200 vehicles linked to drug activities have been blacklisted.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Madras HC seeks I-T report in Udhayanidhi Stalin poll affidavit 'discrepancies' case
Chennai (PTI): The Madras High Court on Wednesday sought a report from the Income Tax Department on the alleged discrepancies in the poll affidavits filed by Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin seeking re-election from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni assembly constituency in Chennai.
A division bench of Chief Justice S A Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan sought a status report from the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, while hearing a plea from R Kumaravel of Chennai, seeking a probe into the assets declared by Udhayanidhi as a candidate in his election affidavit.
The bench posted the case to April 20 for further hearing.
The petitioner from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency, had alleged that there were discrepancies between the property details mentioned in the affidavit accompanying the nomination paper filed by the deputy chief minister in 2026 and the property details filed and the particulars mentioned in the affidavit for the 2021 polls.
A comparative analysis showed the "disappearance" of over Rs 7 crore in investments, Kumaravel claimed and sought a direction to the Election Commission of India and the returning officer for the constituency to verify the financial disclosures, sources of income, transactions and statutory filings made by Udhayanidhi.
Elections to the 234 Assembly constituencies spread across Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23.
