SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has dismissed a Jal Shakti Department employee from service after a departmental inquiry found his involvement in an NDPS case involving the alleged recovery of 4.470 kg of poppy straw in Poonch in 2017.
The action was ordered against Vimal Kumar, son of Chuni Lal, a resident of Jhullas village in Poonch’s Haveli tehsil, who was working as an Orderly in the Irrigation and Flood Control Division, Poonch. He was under suspension when the dismissal order was issued.
According to Government Order No. 143-JK(JSD) of 2026, dated August 24, the employee was involved in FIR No. 37/2017, registered at Police Station Poonch under Sections 8/20/21/29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The FIR was registered on April 1, 2017, in connection with the recovery of 4.470 kg of poppy straw (Bhukki). The departmental inquiry report records that Vimal Kumar was riding motorcycle JK02T-0985 with Harmeet Singh alias Bagga as the pillion rider when the alleged contraband was recovered. The poppy straw was reportedly packed in three packets inside a wheat flour bag in the possession of Harmeet Singh.
A chargesheet was filed against the two accused on May 18, 2017, under Section 8/15 of the NDPS Act, according to the inquiry report.
Vimal Kumar was arrested in connection with the case and remained in judicial custody from April 1 to June 13, 2017, a period of 74 days. He was placed under suspension by the Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Division, Poonch, on April 3, 2017, after remaining in custody for more than 48 hours.
The department subsequently initiated disciplinary proceedings against him. The Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jammu, served him with a memorandum containing the articles of charge and statement of imputations on June 9, 2026, giving him 15 days to submit his defence.
Kumar submitted his written defence on June 22, 2026, and denied the charges. An Inquiry Officer was appointed on June 23, who also provided him an opportunity to explain his position and defend himself against the allegations. Kumar submitted another written statement on June 25, again denying the charges.
The Inquiry Officer submitted the enquiry report on July 9, 2026. The report concluded that the facts relating to Kumar’s arrest, custody, suspension and prosecution had been established and held that his involvement in illegal narcotic activities, in violation of Rule 3 of the JK Government Employees Conduct Rules, 1971, stood established on the basis of the FIR and departmental record.
The inquiry report recommended disciplinary action, including dismissal or removal from service, citing the seriousness of the allegations and their alleged implications for public interest and the reputation of government service.
The Jal Shakti Department said it examined the case, including the records concerning the arrest, police investigation, custodial detention and criminal proceedings. It concluded that Kumar’s continued association with government service was detrimental to public interest.
The competent authority, invoking Rule 30(viii) of the JK Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, read with Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India, accepted the inquiry report and decided to impose the penalty of dismissal.
The government order states that the dismissal ordinarily disqualifies Kumar from future government employment.
Accordingly, Vimal Kumar was dismissed from service with immediate effect and disqualified from future employment with the government, the order issued by Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra, IAS, said.
