Dharamsala (Arvind Sharma): In a significant crackdown on illegal drug trade, the Kangra Police has successfully seized property worth ₹1,27,71,816 belonging to Sanjay Kumar alias “Chappan”, a known drug peddler from Rakkad village in Dharamshala. The action, initiated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, was recently confirmed by the Competent Authority and Administrator, SAFEM & NDPSA, Delhi.
On 6 April 2025, Sanjay Kumar and his associate Suman Kumari alias Varsha were arrested with 1.246 kg of charas. A case (FIR No. 62/25) was registered at Dharamshala Police Station under the NDPS Act, which entails a minimum punishment of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Following the arrest, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Dharamshala Police Station initiated a financial investigation into the illegally acquired assets of the accused. As per Section 68(F) of the NDPS Act, properties suspected to be acquired through drug money were identified, valued, and frozen with strict orders prohibiting their sale, transfer, or any dealings without prior permission from the competent authority.
On 16 June 2025, the competent authority in Delhi issued orders for the formal seizure of the illegally acquired assets, which include two residential properties valued at ₹1,02,94,300 and ₹22,59,600, and a Mahindra Scorpio worth ₹2,17,916.
Sanjay Kumar has been a repeat offender, previously booked under the NDPS Act in case number 39/18 dated 18 March 2018. In addition to drug-related charges, three other criminal cases have been registered against him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Earlier, the Kangra Police had also secured confirmation for confiscation of illegally acquired property worth ₹51 lakh linked to other drug-related offenses. These actions underline the district police’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the drug menace from the region.
A senior police official stated that the Kangra Police will continue to pursue similar cases and take strong legal action, including property confiscation, against all individuals found involved in the illegal drug trade.
