On June 25, in a remarkable and resolute move against the escalating drug menace in the Kashmir, Srinagar Police have attached a luxurious two-storey residential house, along with its surrounding land, in Takanwari, Karnabal area of Srinagar. The property, estimated to be worth around Rs 1 crore, belonged to a notorious drug peddler whose activities have long threatened the safety and well-being of local community.
The operation was carried out following a thorough investigation under FIR No. 02/2024, registered at Police Station Sangam. The accused, Pervaiz Ahmad Bhat, has been a persistent figure in region’s illegal drug trade. He is currently under preventive detention as per PIT-NDPS Act, a stringent law designed to keep habitual offenders off the streets.
The property in question is a prominent two-storey house, set on a sizable plot of land in one of Srinagar’s developing neighborhoods. According to police sources, the house was constructed and land acquired using proceeds from years of illicit drug trafficking. The structure itself stands as a symbol of how deeply the drug trade can infiltrate and impact society, with ill-gotten gains being invested into seemingly respectable assets.
The attachment was executed under Sections 68-E and 68-F of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. These sections empower law enforcement agencies to seize properties believed to be purchased using money earned from drug trafficking. The action was further validated by the competent authority under SAFEMA (Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators [Forfeiture of Property] Act), New Delhi, ensuring that all legal protocols were meticulously followed. As per the official statement, the attached property cannot be sold, transferred, or otherwise dealt with in any manner without the explicit permission of the competent authority. This prevents the accused or his associates from liquidating the asset or using it to finance further criminal activities.
Pervaiz Ahmad Bhat has a long history of drug peddling, with police records showing his involvement in supplying narcotics across several neighborhoods in Srinagar. He is particularly notorious for targeting local youth, luring them into addiction and contributing to a growing public health crisis. The police have described him as a serious threat to public health and safety, underscoring the gravity of his actions.
This high-profile property attachment is part of a broader, sustained campaign by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to dismantle the financial backbone of drug trafficking networks. By targeting the assets of those involved in the drug trade, the police aim to send a clear message: crime does not pay, and ill-gotten wealth will not be allowed to remain in the hands of offenders.
A police spokesperson highlighted the importance of public cooperation in this fight, urging citizens to report any suspicious activities related to narcotics. The police have set up a dedicated helpline (9596770550) for this purpose, emphasizing that community vigilance is key to safeguarding the region’s youth and future.
The attachment of Pervaiz Ahmad Bhat’s property is not an isolated incident. Over the past year, the Srinagar Police have intensified their crackdown on drug-related crimes, with several properties seized under similar legal provisions. This approach not only disrupts the operational capabilities of drug traffickers but also acts as a deterrent to others involved in or contemplating such activities.
The seizure of a Rs 1 crore property in Srinagar marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against narcotics in Jammu and Kashmir. It demonstrates the police’s unwavering commitment to rooting out the drug trade and protecting the community from its devastating effects. As authorities continue to target both the individuals and the financial infrastructure of drug networks, the hope is that such decisive actions will pave the way for a safer, healthier, and more secure society in the Kashmir Valley.
