NEW DELHI, Apr 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ruthlessly demolishing drug cartels and praised the NCB for securing convictions against 73 offenders in the first quarter of 2026.
Among the important convictions is one linked to a case involving the seizure of 2.75 kg of heroin at the Ahmedabad airport in 2021 and 4.23 kg of heroin at Fazilka (Punjab) along the India-Pakistan border in 2022.
In these cases, two foreign traffickers were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, a home ministry statement said.
Shah took to X to say: “To protect our youth from the scourge of drugs, the Modi govt is ruthlessly demolishing drug cartels and is also ensuring their conviction.” “Under this mission, the NCB has made a breakthrough of getting 73 drug offenders convicted in the first three months of 2026, with harshest punishments. We are determined to shut every breathing space of drug rackets with entire might. Congratulations to NCB for this achievement,” the home minister said.
According to official data, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) secured convictions for 73 drug offenders in 35 cases in the first three months of this year. Of the convicts, four were awarded the maximum sentence of 20 years, while 54 received sentences of 10 years or more.
The statement said a total fine of Rs 1.22 crore was also imposed on the convicts.
The statement also mentioned a conviction secured in the 2023 pseudoephedrine-diversion case (a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) involving a company named Alps Life Sciences Private Limited located in Sonipat, Haryana.
In this case, three accused, including the firm’s director, were sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh each.
The company was also convicted and fined Rs 1.5 lakh. The permission granted to the company for manufacturing pseudoephedrine has also been withdrawn by the NCB, the statement said.
The federal anti-narcotics agency has also appealed to other central and state enforcement agencies to identify key undertrial cases involving drug kingpins and ensure effective prosecution, according to the statement. (Agencies)
Govt Ruthlessly Demolishing Drug Cartels, Securing Convictions Against Offenders: Amit Shah
J&K Govt Forms Inquiry Committee To Probe GMC Anantnag Incident
Srinagar, Apr 20: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has constituted an inquiry committee to conduct a detailed probe into the incident at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag following reports of alleged negligence and lack of timely medical intervention.
As per Government Order No. 354-JK (HME) of 2026, a three-member committee has been formed comprising Mission Director NHM as Chairperson, Director Health Services Kashmir as Member, and Medical Superintendent Children Hospital Bemina Srinagar as Member.
The committee has been tasked to examine all facts and circumstances leading to the incident, assess availability of adequate manpower at GMC Anantnag at the relevant time, and fix responsibility, if any, for lapses in preparedness, medical intervention and service delivery.
It will also recommend corrective measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents and submit a detailed report along with documentary evidence to the Administrative Department within one week from the date of issuance of the order.
The Principal GMC Anantnag and all concerned officers and officials have been directed to extend full cooperation and provide all necessary records and documents to the committee. (KNC)
21 Dead, 51 Injured As Bus Rolls Down Hill In J&K’s Udhampur
Jammu, Apr 20: At least 21 people were killed and 51 injured on Monday when an overcrowded passenger bus plunged nearly 100 metres down a hillside in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, crushing an auto-rickshaw before landing upside down on the road below, officials said.
An Army convoy passing along the hilly stretch led the rescue operations after the driver of the private bus lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a blind curve near the hilltop Kagort village in the Ramnagar area around 10 am, the officials said.
They said more than 65 passengers, including women and students, were on board, largely daily commuters travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur.
The rescue operations proved to be extremely challenging as the bus was reduced to a mangled heap of iron, with its top portion almost completely torn off.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the accident. Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured the families of the deceased and those injured of all possible assistance. Abdullah also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for those who sustained minor injuries in the accident.
“A bus en route from Ramnagar to Udhampur lost control while negotiating a hilly stretch, plunged down the slope and crushed an auto-rickshaw upon landing upside down on the road below. Fifteen passengers were found dead at the scene, while four later succumbed to their injuries in a hospital,” Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma told reporters at the site.
The officials said two more critically-injured persons succumbed to their injuries at the Udhampur District Hospital during treatment, raising the death toll to 21.
Among those killed were Tilo Ram, Prem Nath, Kartar Chand, Som Raj, Ram Chand, Gita Devi, Romal Singh, Sharda Devi, Sunny, Vishali Devi, Pushap Raj, Ramolo Ram, Gulabo Devi, Jalam Singh, Kesar Singh, Kanta Devi and Anita Devi — all residents of Ramnagar.
Sharma said the locals extended significant help during the rescue operations.
Police teams, including the senior superintendent of police, the station house officer (SHO) of Ramnagar and other officers, visited the spot.
The vehicle was later straightened using a hydraulic crane, the DIG said.
He said this was a very tragic incident and “we stand in solidarity with the families who have lost their loved ones. The Jammu and Kashmir Police stands with them in this hour of grief”.
Sharma said Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat and Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti are monitoring the situation over the phone.
An Army soldier, who was leading a convoy from Udhampur to Ramnagar, said they swung into action immediately after noticing the civilian vehicle rolling down the hill.
“I was leading the convoy when the accident occurred on the way. The vehicle fell from a height of nearly 100 metres. We immediately secured the area and launched the rescue operations, thus saving many precious lives with great difficulty,” he said.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said 51 people are admitted in hospitals following the accident.
He said 43 of the injured are admitted in the Udhampur District Hospital and six in a Ramnagar hospital, while two critically-injured patients have been shifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu for specialised treatment.
“This is a very painful accident. As far as the injured are concerned, full care is being taken for their treatment,” Dulloo told reporters at the Udhampur District Hospital.
Lauding the effective and coordinated rescue operations, the chief secretary said “our effort should be to ensure that such accidents do not happen in the future”.
“There is a need for stricter enforcement so that traffic violations are closely monitored. It must be ensured that there is no overloading, vehicles are in good condition, drivers have valid licences and their medical fitness is verified. All these aspects need to be emphasised,” he said.
In a post on X, the LG said, “Tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to bereaved families. May God grant them strength. Praying for a speedy recovery of the injured.”
Sinha said he has directed the district administration, police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the health department to provide every possible assistance to those affected.
The chief minister extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
In a post on X, Abdullah said: “The government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief, and that all necessary assistance is being extended.”
Former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra and Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma also expressed grief over the incident.
Union minister Jitendra Singh, who represents the Udhampur constituency in the Lok Sabha, condoled the tragedy and is expected to visit the injured in the hospitals on Tuesday evening.
SC Asks States, UTs To Provide Details Of Pending Terror, Drugs Cases For Setting Up Special Courts
New Delhi, Apr 20: The Supreme Court on Monday asked all states and union territories to provide details of terror and narcotics cases being probed by Central and state agencies, including the NIA and the NCB, as a step towards setting up special exclusive courts for early disposal of the cases.
The top court asked the Centre to consider providing funds of Rs 1 crore each for setting up the courts in all states and UTs to prosecute cases lodged under the UAPA (the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act) and the NDPS Act (the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act).
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalye Bagchi also asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, to consider releasing Rs 1 crore annually for ensuring smooth functioning of the special courts.
The suo motu case was fixed for further hearing on May 8.
On March 24, the apex court directed the establishment of special courts for cases investigated by the National Investigation Agency and those falling under the UAPA. Expanding the ambit, the CJI on Monday asked advocate generals of 17 states to furnish the details of cases lodged under the UAPA and the NDPS Act, irrespective of whether they are prosecuted by the NIA or the state police and by Narcotics Control Bureau or by state agencies.
The bench highlighted that early disposal would balance the rights of the accused and victims both.
The bench also issued notices to the remaining states and asked them to furnish the requisite information.
The suo motu petition was initiated following concerns that NIA trials were languishing for years.
The court noted that in many of the 17 high pendency states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir, special courts were overburdened because presiding officers were also assigned non-NIA cases.
“NIA Courts should exclusively deal with UAPA or other related trials and such Presiding Officers should not be entrusted with any other cases,” the bench said.
A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Office Memorandum of January 7, 2026 outlined a robust financial framework for these courts. It said the Central government will provide an annual grant of up to Rs 1 crore per court for staff salaries and office expenses.
It also provided for one-time non-recurring limit of Rs 1 crore for infrastructure renovation, IT equipment (computers, broadband, etc.), and furniture.
The MHA had said each court will follow a specific “model staff pattern”, including a special judge, stenographers and a dedicated driver with a vehicle for the presiding officer.
The bench had identified 17 states where more than 10 NIA trials are currently pending. The 17 states are Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana. They agreed to set up at least one exclusive court as a pilot project.
The bench further directed the chief justices of the respective high courts to fast-track the appointment of judges with “fair and reasonable experience in conducting criminal trials”. (Agencies)
CS Atal Dulloo Outlines Vision For Digitally Empowered J&K At ‘Tech Saksham’ Workshop
JAMMU, Apr 20: Presiding over ‘Tech Saksham’, a landmark capacity-building workshop jointly convened by the the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and NICSI of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at the Convention Centre, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today set a resolute tone for the digital future of Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasised that digital governance is no longer a mere supporting function, but the absolute backbone of transparent, efficient and responsive public service delivery mechanism.
The workshop was also attended by Shantmanu, State Election Commissioner, J&K; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home Department; Dr. Piyush Singla, Secretary Information Technology Department; and Mahima Madan, Chief Executive Officer JaKeGA.
Varindra Seth, Deputy Director General NIC, Alok Tiwari, MD NICSI; Jaskaran Singh Modi, State Informatics Officer; and Sanjay Gupta, ASIO NIC, were also present.
The Chief Secretary announced that the administration is firmly shifting towards a ‘Whole-of-Government’ approach. This strategic move is designed to break down departmental silos through interoperability and shared digital architecture, ensuring seamless and accelerated service delivery for all citizens.
The Chief Secretary highlighted that for a region defined by its geographical diversity, digital platforms serve as essential bridge. He stressed that robust digital systems are instrumental in significantly reducing administrative barriers, compressing service timelines, curtailing corruption and ultimately sustaining the bond of trust between citizens and the administration.
He favoured that digital platforms must feature user-friendly interfaces and local language support to ensure no citizen is left behind in this revolution. He further noted that structured, well-governed data will serve as the bedrock for deploying Artificial Intelligence in public administration, turning raw information into actionable intelligence for better governance.
The Chief Secretary made it clear that strict adherence to cybersecurity protocols and the development of comprehensive crisis management plans across all departments are non-negotiable imperatives. He called for continuous capacity building of government personnel and urged robust collaboration between government departments, NICSI/ NIC and premier academic institutions to accelerate the digital roadmap.
The Chief Secretary’s address highlighted two major milestones in the shape of MeitY sanctioned Centre of Excellence in AI, which will be hosted at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu through a Special Purpose Vehicle to drive region-specific research and innovation. Additionally he made out that the Government is actively contemplating to establish two dedicated IT Parks at both Jammu and Srinagar. These parks are envisioned as vital catalysts for nurturing the local start-up ecosystem and driving large-scale employment generation for the youth.
Addressing the gathering, State Election Commissioner J&K, highlighted the all-pervasive role of information technology across all sectors of governance.
Offering a thought-provoking analogy on Artificial Intelligence, Shantmanu cautioned that while AI should be embraced as a tool, it must also be studied with the rigorous vigilance reserved for a potential adversary. He stressed the need to thoroughly understand AI to harness its full potential while proactively mitigating the risks of its misuse. Drawing on his recent observations of election management frameworks in other states, he further underscored the transformative impact of IT tools in enhancing transparency for voters, candidates and the electoral machinery.
The workshop comprised specialised knowledge-sharing sessions on vital frontier technologies, starting with a crucial deep-dive into Cyber Security led by National Cyber Security Expert Amit Dubey, followed by an exploration of Cloud capabilities by Rajendran Dandapani, Director and President, Zoho Corporation. The technical agenda culminated in a dedicated session on Artificial Intelligence by Alok Tiwari. Vote of thanks was presented by Jaskaran Singh Modi, State Informatics Officer NIC J&K at the culmination of the session.
Rising Temperatures Linked To Increasing Health Risks: Jitendra Singh
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: Rising temperatures are not only an environmental concern but also directly linked to increasing health risks, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Monday.
Singh said that heat stress is impacting conditions ranging from dengue to cardiovascular diseases, making climate response a public health priority as well.
“India today is dealing with both tropical diseases and lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases at the same time,” Singh said.
The minister made the comments while speaking at the Global Heat and Cooling Forum, organised by the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) in collaboration with the Department of Science & Technology (DST), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology highlighted that climate change-induced heat is a global phenomenon affecting every region. However, India faces a unique situation due to its diverse climatic conditions, simultaneously experiencing extreme heat and extreme cold across different geographies.
The minister pointed out that this diversity demands customised strategies rather than adopting uniform global models. (Agencies)
NTA Declares Session 2 Results, 26 Students Score 100 Percentile
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 result has been officially declared by the National Testing Agency. The results, scorecards, and the All India Rank (AIR) list will be released shortly today, as per the NTA’s earlier announcement. Around 11 lakh students who appeared for the exam between April 2 and April 8 will be able to download their scorecards from the official website – jeemain.nta.nic.in.
Final Answer Key Direct Download Link
ACB Tightens Noose On Corruption: 5 Convicted In Pahalgam Embezzlement Case
Chargesheet Filed Against Ex-BDO Kupwara
Jammu, Apr 20: In a significant push against corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday secured conviction of five former storekeepers in a food grain misappropriation case in Pahalgam, while also filing a chargesheet against a former Block Development Officer (BDO) Kupwara and four others in a separate case involving alleged siphoning of government funds.
In a statement issued , Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Anantnag Convicts 1. Abdul Khaliq Shah S/O Mohd Abdullah Shah R/O Ashmuqam the then Store Keeper Food supplies Sale Center Pahalgam and Laripora. (2) Gh Nabi Mir S/O Gh. Mohd Mir R/O Aishmuqam the then Store Keeper Food Supplies Sale Center Dawatoo and Aru.
Another person namely, Mohd Shafi Rather S/O Gh. Mohd R/O Devaroo Pahalgam the then store keeper Ashumwam. (4). Gh. Hassan Hajam S/O Gh. Ahmad R/O Kathsoo the then store Keeper Food supplies sale centre Katsoo and (5). Muzaffar Ahmad Bichoo S/O Gh. Mohd Bichoo R/O Malaknag Anantnag the then store keeper Food supplies Sale centre Laripora and Pahalgam in a misappropriation case, statement reads.
In a significant verdict reinforcing the commitment to combating corruption, the Hon’ble Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Anantnag, Ms Masarat Roohi convicted aforementioned accused persons, in a misappropriation case registered under FIR No. 09/1990 U/S 5(2) of J&K P.C. Act-2006 read with Sec. 409/RPC of P/S VOK (now ACB), it reads.
The accused persons, then-serving in Food and Supplies Department Kashmir Pahalgam Circle as store keepers were found guilty under Sections U/S 5(2) of J&K P.C. Act-2006 read with Sec. 409/RPC, for misappropriation of Food grains/Empty Bags by these store keepers of Pahalgam Circle for the period w.e.f. 04/1989 to 11-09-1989, it reads.
Following a complaint filed by Dy. Director Food and Supplies Department Srinagar vide No DFSK/Adm/SA-468 dated 02-11-1989 reporting therein about the embezzlement of Food Grains/Empty Bags to the tune of Rs 364235.84/- on the hands of aforementioned five accused persons, the aforementioned case was registered in P/S VOK (now ACB) on 07-06-1990.
After thorough investigation, chargesheet was filed on September 09, 2003, and the case proceeded for judicial determination. On April 20, 2026, the Hon’ble Court after appreciating the evidence produced, delivered the judgment and convicted all the five accused persons Under Section 5(2) read with Sec. 409/RPC. The Hon’ble Court has listed the case for argument on quantum of punishment on 24.04.2026.
This conviction marks another milestone in the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and accountability in public service.
In another case ACB Presents Charge-Sheet Against Then BDO Kupwara and Four Others in Misappropriation Case.
The case originated from a complaint received through the ACB grievance portal on 19.07.2021 from one Fayaz Ahmad R/o Halmatpora, District Kupwara, alleging embezzlement of funds meant for execution of developmental works under the said schemes by officials of Block Kupwara.
Investigation conducted by ACB revealed that the accused public servants, namely Abdul Majeed Ganie (then BDO Kupwara), Bashir Ahmad Mir (then Junior Assistant), and Sajad Ahmad Dar (then MISO/GRS), in active connivance with private beneficiaries Zakir Hussain Pir and Gowher Yaqoob Khan, entered into a criminal conspiracy and fraudulently siphoned off Government funds by manipulating official records and fabricating electronic data.
It was established that the accused persons generated and authenticated fraudulent Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs), thereby facilitating diversion of funds into unauthorized bank accounts, including those of relatives and associates.
Statement further reads, The investigation further uncovered instances of double drawal, fraudulent payments against non-existent works, and illegal routing of labour payments through job card holders, followed by misappropriation of the same.
During the course of investigation, it also came to light that official records pertaining to the works under probe were deliberately destroyed or withheld, and crucial electronic evidence, including Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs), was not produced, indicating an attempt to screen the offence, it reads.
The accused persons, by abuse of their official positions, caused wrongful loss to the State exchequer to the tune of ₹4,86,170/- and corresponding unlawful gain to themselves and their associates.
Based on the evidence collected, offences punishable under Section 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, along with Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201, and 120-B RPC, have been established, it reads.
Accordingly, upon finalisation of investigation, the charge-sheet in Case FIR No. 11/2021 has been presented before the Hon’ble Court for judicial determination against three accused public servants and two private beneficiaries, statement reads. (KNC)
Rana Directs Fast-Tracking, Streamlining Of FRA Compliance In J&K
JAMMU, Apr 20: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Monday directed the officials to expedite and streamline the compliance mechanism under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The directions were issued during a high-level review meeting held at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to assess the progress on Act’s implementation in the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Commissioner Secretary Forests, Ecology & Environment, Sheetal Nanda; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Sarvesh Rai; Secretary Tribal Affairs Department, Prasanna Ramaswamy G; Director Tribal Affairs J&K, Mohd. Mumtaz Ali; Director Finance, Tribal Affairs Department, Iftikhar Chouhan and Nodal Officer, Tribal Research Institute, Dr. Abdul Khabir, among others.
Emphasising the need for a more efficient and transparent framework, the Minister instructed the officials to accelerate the recognition of forest rights and ensure prompt operationalisation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) cells at the district level. He noted that these cells play a pivotal role in facilitating claim documentation, ensuring inter-departmental coordination and enabling timely uploading of records.
“The formation of FRA cells must be fast-tracked. The entire process should be time-bound, coordinated and people-centric, with clearly defined accountability at every stage to safeguard the interests of tribal communities,” Rana said.
Highlighting the importance of inter-departmental synergy, the Minister called for seamless convergence between the revenue, forest and tribal affairs departments to eliminate procedural delays and administrative bottlenecks that hinder effective implementation.
It is pertinent to mention that Jammu and Kashmir Government has designated the Tribal Affairs Department as the nodal agency for implementing the Act, replacing the Forest Department in this role. The legislation aims to address the long standing concerns of the forest-dwelling communities by recognising both individual and community rights over forest land and resources for Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
Seeking greater transparency and accountability, Rana directed the officials to compile comprehensive data on rejected claims, along with detailed reasons for such rejections. This, he said, would help ensure that the genuine beneficiaries are not excluded and enable corrective measures wherever necessary.
The Minister further underscored the critical role of Gram Sabhas in the process, stressing the need for adequate and meaningful representation of tribal communities in these grassroots institutions, which are responsible for verifying and recommending the claims under the Act.
Calling for intensified outreach, Rana instructed the officials to strengthen awareness campaigns so that eligible beneficiaries are fully informed about their rights and the procedures for filing claims. He emphasised the need for district-level awareness drives and training programmes to educate the communities about their entitlements under the Act.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protect the rights and welfare of tribal populations, the Minister called for regular monitoring, periodic reviews and strict adherence to timelines to ensure effective and timely implementation of the Forest Rights Act across Jammu and Kashmir.
Hong Kong fire victims to return to burned homes, grieving losses and grappling with trauma
