Srinagar, March 1, KDC: In a significant breakthrough, Srinagar Police has uncovered a well-planned criminal conspiracy involving the planting of narcotics to frame an innocent man, leading to the arrest of four individuals under the NDPS Act. The entire case, driven by greed and revenge, was exposed following a thorough investigation.
According to Srinagar Police, the operation began on February 24, 2025, when a tip-off led the police to a suspicious vehicle parked near OASIS School in Karan Nagar. The complaint was lodged by advocate Yusha Yousuf Mir, a resident of Bakshipora Noorbagh, Srinagar, who informed Police Station Shaheed Gunj about the vehicle bearing registration number JK01AX-8467, which had been repeatedly parked in the area under questionable circumstances.
Acting promptly, police officers, along with a magistrate, raided the location and found the vehicle as reported. The owner, identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, son of the late Ghulam Mohammad Bhat from Astan Mohalla, Natipora, was contacted through the phone number displayed on the vehicle and was directed to the spot.
During the search, conducted in the presence of the magistrate, 452 grams of a charas-like substance was recovered from the vehicle. As a result, FIR No. 05/2025 under the NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Shaheed Gunj, leading to the immediate seizure of the vehicle and Manzoor Ahmad’s arrest.
What initially appeared to be a straightforward drug trafficking case soon took a dramatic turn. Further investigation revealed that Manzoor Ahmad had been deliberately framed by a group of five individuals due to a financial dispute.
The police statement disclosed that Mohd Shafi Badyari, a resident of Touheed Colony, Natipora, had borrowed Manzoor Ahmad’s vehicle under false pretenses. Working alongside Toufeeq Ali from Safakadal and Arshid Ahmad Wani from Pamposh Colony, Natipora, Mohd Shafi transported the vehicle to Natipora, where they planted the contraband inside. The vehicle was then returned to Manzoor Ahmad in Karan Nagar, setting the trap.
Following this, Mohd Shafi allegedly tipped off the complainant, who in turn informed the police, triggering the chain of events that led to Manzoor Ahmad’s wrongful arrest.
The investigation further revealed that the conspiracy had been brewing for months. The police stated that the motive behind the crime stemmed from a land deal in Hyderpora, where Manzoor Ahmad had entrusted money to the group for property purchase. Instead of completing the transaction, the conspirators orchestrated the drug-planting scheme to eliminate him and keep his funds.
The contraband used in the plot was procured months earlier through Zahoor Ahmad Mir and was stored at the shop of Rouf Ahmad Mir in Rambagh, Srinagar.
On February 26, 2025, the police apprehended four of the accused: Mohd Shafi Badyari, Arshid Ahmad Wani, Toufeeq Ali, and Rouf Ahmad Mir.
During their interrogation, further recoveries of contraband were made, strengthening the case. The police are actively searching for Zahoor Ahmad Mir, who remains at large.
Additionally, relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked in the case, and police have indicated that more arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.
Srinagar Police, in the statement, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice and warned that any attempts to frame innocent individuals through criminal conspiracies will be dealt with strictly. (KDC)
