New Delhi, Aug 16: Four accused have been convicted in two separate cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act registered at Palam village police station, with Delhi Police highlighting the speedy conclusion of the trials and recovery of more than 1.4 kg of ganja.

According to a press release issued by the South-West District of Delhi Police on Sunday, the four accused were convicted by the court of Saurabh Goyal, JMFC First Class, Dwarka Courts, Delhi.

In FIR No. 130/26 under Section 20 of the NDPS Act, accused Anuj Kumar and Vishal alias Sampi were convicted through an order dated August 10. Police said the conviction was secured within 133 days of the offence and after 45 days of trial.

In the second case, FIR No. 66/26 under Section 20 of the NDPS Act, accused Sanjay Sharma and Rafiq Ahmed were convicted through an order dated August 3. The conviction came within six months of the offence and after 119 days of trial, according to police.

The press release stated that “cases were effectively presented before the Court through the coordinated efforts of the investigating teams and the Prosecution Branch”. It added that Assistant Public Prosecutors Vikas Kharb and Sudhanshu Saini presented the prosecution’s cases, evidence and facts before the court, resulting in the conviction of all four accused.

In the first case, police said Sanjay Sharma was apprehended on February 4, allegedly carrying 442 grams of ganja. Following his disclosure, Rafiq Ahmed was arrested, and another 400 grams of ganja was allegedly recovered from his possession. The chargesheet was filed before the court on April 6 after receipt of a positive Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report confirming the nature of the substance.

In the second case, Anuj Kumar was apprehended on March 29 with 545 grams of alleged ganja. Following his disclosure, police arrested Vishal alias Sampi and recovered another 68 grams. The chargesheet was filed on June 26 after the FSL report confirmed the recovered substance.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, South-West District, Amit Goel said the convictions reflected the “sincerity, professionalism, coordinated effort and resolve” of Delhi Police and the Prosecution Branch.

Police said the outcome also highlights the role of scientific investigation and reaffirmed their resolve to curb drug-related offences and ensure speedy justice.

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 14: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged Messi event fraud linked to Reporter TV and its owners, even as the former Finance Minister and CPI-M leader K.N. Balagopal refused to answer questions on alleged GST dues connected with the visit of football superstar Lionel Messi to Kerala in 2025, which failed to take place.

State BJP General Secretary S. Suresh demanded that the V.D. Satheesan government hand over the investigation to the CBI, saying that the controversy had international dimensions involving Argentina, Embassies, apart from alleged financial irregularities.

He alleged that the state government’s name had been misused in the proposed Messi event and called for a comprehensive probe into the financial transactions involved.

He also demanded a criminal case into the alleged GST evasion and said those found responsible should face legal action, including arrest wherever warranted.

Suresh also alleged that serious charges had surfaced against the previous LDF government and sought a probe into allegations of political protection being extended to those involved.

He warned the Satheesan government against entering into any political understanding with former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to suppress or delay the investigation.

The BJP leader also claimed that the alleged intermediary (sponsor) in the Messi event faced around 19 cases, including cheating cases, and demanded that the entire financial and international dimensions of the controversy be examined by Central agencies.

Meanwhile, Balagopal, who served as the Kerala Finance Minister from 2021 to 2026 and now sits in the Opposition front row alongside Vijayan, faced questions on the alleged non-payment of GST linked to the principal sponsor of the Messi event.

Known for his sharp responses on public finance during his ministerial tenure, Balagopal offered little on Friday.

He said he did not have any papers on the matter and suggested that officials might know more.

The response was particularly notable given Balagopal’s repeated criticism of the Centre over Kerala’s finances and devolution of funds while he was the Finance Minister.

Guwahati, Aug 14: Drugs worth an estimated Rs 39.4 crore were seized in Guwahati after police intercepted a truck near the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), leading to the arrest of two persons, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Taking to his official X account on Thursday, Sarma praised the Guwahati Police for the operation and said the seizure would help protect the younger generation from the growing threat of drug abuse.

“Mirror mirror on the wall, tell me how much drugs in all? Rs 39.4 crore!” the Chief Minister said in his X post, while highlighting the quantity of narcotics recovered during the operation.

According to the Chief Minister, the police intercepted a truck near the ISBT and recovered 10 soap cases containing heroin along with 1,40,000 YABA tablets.

YABA tablets, which commonly contain methamphetamine, are a synthetic drug associated with serious health and addiction risks.

The seizure represents a significant disruption to an alleged narcotics trafficking network operating through Assam.

Two accused persons were apprehended in connection with the seizure.

Police are expected to investigate the source of the consignment, its intended destination and the wider network involved in transporting the drugs.

The operation comes amid intensified efforts by Assam Police to curb the trafficking and distribution of narcotics in the state.

Assam has emerged as an important transit route for drugs because of its geographical location and proximity to international borders and neighbouring states.

Sarma, in his X post, credited the Guwahati Police for the “excellent” operation and described the seizure as an effort aimed at “saving the future of our youth”.

The recovery of such a large quantity of YABA tablets and heroin is likely to trigger further investigation into the movement of narcotics through Guwahati, which serves as a major transportation hub connecting Assam with other parts of the Northeast.

The police action also underscores the increasing focus on intercepting drug consignments before they reach their intended markets and preventing narcotics from reaching young people.

Further details about the identities of the arrested persons and the exact value and weight of the seized substances are awaited.