SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has dismissed a Watcher (MTS) of the Department of Wildlife Protection from service under Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India, following a departmental inquiry into his alleged involvement in two narcotics-related cases.
According to a government order, the employee, identified as Vinod Kumar Raina, a resident of Kandikhas, Handwara in Kupwara district, was facing proceedings in connection with FIR No. 329/2021 registered at Police Station Nagrota under Sections 8 and 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The case pertains to the alleged recovery of 300 grams of a charas-like substance from his possession. Raina was arrested in the case on July 18, 2021, following which he was placed under suspension by the Wildlife Warden, Jammu, on July 27, 2021.
A departmental inquiry was subsequently initiated, with Vivek Verma, IFS, Conservator of Forests (Working Plan), appointed as the Inquiry Officer.
The inquiry report submitted on May 29, 2026, noted that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) had confirmed the recovered substance in the Nagrota case as charas. The challan has since been filed and the case is presently under trial.
The inquiry also brought to light an earlier case against Raina. He had allegedly been arrested in FIR No. 06/2014 registered at Police Station Nowabad, Jammu, under Sections 8, 20 and 21 of the NDPS Act, in connection with the alleged recovery of around 850 grams of charas on January 13, 2014.
The Inquiry Officer observed that the employee’s alleged involvement in two separate NDPS cases raised serious concerns regarding his conduct, integrity and suitability for government service.
The report was subsequently endorsed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)/Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, who recommended appropriate action.
Taking note of the findings, the competent authority ordered Raina’s dismissal from service with immediate effect. The order also states that he shall be disqualified from future employment under the government.
The government said the action was warranted in view of the seriousness of narcotics-related offences and the need to maintain integrity and public confidence in government service.
The dismissal has been ordered under the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, and the J&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971.
