Notorious Drug Peddler Escapes Police Custody in Nagrota, Raising Concerns About Police Efficiency

From Praise to Disbelief: Public Questions Police Competence After Drug Peddler’s Escape

• A notorious drug peddler, Shabir Choudhary, escaped from police custody at Nagrota Police Station, raising concerns about security procedures and police effectiveness. 

• Choudhary was one of four suspects apprehended on October 27, 2024, with 265 grams of heroin and a significant amount of cash. One suspect escaped during the initial arrest. 

• The escape has shaken public confidence in the Nagrota police, turning previous praise for their swift action against drug peddlers into skepticism and demands for answers. 

• The DIG Jammu has assured the public that efforts are underway to recapture the fugitive and that an internal investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances of the escape and address any security lapses.

HARPREET SINGH

Nagrota, November 09, 2024: A notorious drug peddler, Shabir Choudhary, has escaped from police custody at Nagrota Police Station, raising serious questions about security lapses and the effectiveness of policing in the area. The incident comes just days after Choudhary’s arrest, during which police recovered a substantial quantity of heroin and cash.

On October 27, 2024, acting on a tip-off, Nagrota Police apprehended four individuals, including three brothers—Shabir, Shakeel, Farooq and Arif Choudhary, sons of Shah Mansha and all residents of Sitni Bypass Nagrota—and Waseem Akram from Dharam Kund, district Ramban, for allegedly selling heroin near the TCP Bypass Nagrota from a Scorpio car (JK02DK/9844). While one brother, Arif Choudhary, managed to escape during the initial operation, the others, along with Akram, were apprehended.

A search of the vehicle yielded 265 grams of a heroin-like substance, estimated to be worth ₹27 lakh, and ₹4,05,700 in cash, all recovered from the dashboard. An FIR (No. 283/2024) was registered under Sections 8/21/22/25/29 of the NDPS Act at Nagrota Police Station.

The arrest was initially hailed by the local community as a significant step in combating drug trafficking in the area. However, the recent escape of Shabir Choudhary from police custody has cast a shadow over the police’s earlier success and raised concerns about security lapses within the police station.

Choudhary reportedly fled towards the Main Bazar area of Nagrota earlier today. DIG Jammu has assured the public that a manhunt is underway to recapture the fugitive and that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding his escape. Accountability within the police force will also be addressed, according to the DIG.

This incident has eroded the public’s trust in the police’s ability to secure criminals and maintain law and order. The escape of a notorious drug peddler raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security protocols at Nagrota Police Station and demands a thorough review of existing procedures. The public awaits swift action and a clear explanation from the police department regarding this security breach.