SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Academy, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Srinagar Zonal Unit, on Saturday organised a one-day sensitisation programme on issues related to narcotics, focusing on investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The programme, held at the Judicial Academy in Srinagar, brought together judicial officers, prosecutors, police officers and officials from various enforcement agencies.
Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and Chairman of the Governing Committee of the Judicial Academy, delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the need for strict compliance with statutory safeguards under the NDPS Act and stressed the importance of lawful search and seizure procedures, proper documentation, preservation of evidence and fair investigation.
Justice Oswal referred to key provisions of the NDPS Act, including Sections 42, 50, 52A, 67 and 37, and emphasised the importance of maintaining the chain of custody and relying on corroborative and digital evidence. He also called for a balanced approach that combines strict enforcement against drug trafficking with support for individuals suffering from substance dependence.
Director of the J&K Judicial Academy Naseer Ahmad Dar said effective handling of NDPS cases required close coordination among investigators, prosecutors and the judiciary, along with strict adherence to legal procedures and evidentiary requirements.
Deputy Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Sambit Mishra, said interaction among investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers was essential for improving understanding of procedural and legal requirements in narcotics cases.
DIG Crime Branch Abdul Qayoom highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to tackle drug abuse and trafficking, stressing capacity building, proper documentation and investigation of wider trafficking networks rather than focusing solely on carriers of contraband.
Technical sessions during the programme covered investigative challenges in NDPS cases, evidentiary gaps affecting prosecution, judicial appreciation of evidence, procedural requirements governing search and seizure operations, and legal provisions relating to bail under the NDPS Act.
Speakers included Deputy Superintendent of Police, Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Kubra Nazir; Public Prosecutor, NCB Srinagar, Aftab Jeelani Wani; former Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir; former Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officer Srinivasan Gopal; and Director Judicial Academy Naseer Ahmad Dar.
Officials said the programme was aimed at strengthening coordination among the judiciary, prosecution and law enforcement agencies to improve investigation, evidence preservation and prosecution of narcotics-related offences.
