Crime
Two convicted in 5.25-kg opium trafficking case in Aurangabad
Patna, Sep 12: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Patna Zonal Unit, has secured the conviction of two men in a drug trafficking case involving the seizure of 5.250 kg of opium in Bihar’s Aurangabad district.
The contraband was seized on February 24, 2021, following specific Intelligence received by the NCB.
Acting on the information, officers intercepted accused Pramod Prasad at Ramabandh Bus Stand in the Town Police Station area of Aurangabad and recovered 5.250 kg of opium, which he had allegedly concealed in his clothes.
According to the NCB, the opium had been sourced from Daltonganj in Jharkhand and was being transported to Aurangabad in Bihar.
The case was registered as NCB Patna Zonal Unit Crime No. 04/2021 under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
During the subsequent investigation, the alleged supplier, identified as Bikesh Kumar Gupta, was also arrested.
The NCB said its investigation gathered evidence that was subsequently presented before the court to establish the involvement of both accused.
The 1st Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (NDPS Act), Aurangabad, found Pramod Prasad, a resident of Imamganj in Gaya district, and Bikesh Kumar Gupta alias Bikash Kumar Gupta, a resident of Panki in Palamu district of Jharkhand, guilty of offences under the NDPS Act.
The court sentenced both men to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each under the applicable Sections.
The court further directed that, in case of failure to pay the fine, each convict would undergo an additional one year of simple imprisonment.
The NCB attributed the conviction to the investigation and prosecution conducted by its officers and said it remains committed to curbing illicit drug trafficking and preventing drug abuse.
The Bureau has also appealed to members of the public to share information about the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances through the MANAS portal or helpline number 1933.
The NCB said the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.
Crime
Delhi Aastha Kunj Park: CCTV, 105 new lights in place after last month’s gang rape

Necessary safety and security measures have been implemented at the DDA-maintained Aastha Kunj Park, Kalkaji, including deployment of the allotted security personnel, installation of 105 additional lights and CCTV surveillance, an official said on Saturday.
Further strengthening of lighting arrangements is under process, with due consideration to the ecological sensitivity of the Morphological Ridge, said the official on a day when Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the city’s security during a visit to the Delhi Police headquarters.
The new security framework for the park comes against the backdrop of the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park on September 21. Three accused were arrested for the crime.
The incident exposed that Aastha Kunj Park — a 142-acre DDA park with 29 multi-access points — continues to suffer from poor lighting, broken perimeter walls, unmanned or missing gates, and a lack of CCTV coverage inside the premises.
According to a status report on the beefed-up security at the DDA park, all security guards, as per the presently allotted strength, have been deployed in the park. Considering its extensive area of 142.41 acres and 29 gates, regular patrolling is undertaken to ensure security coverage across the park.
Two siren-equipped motorcycles, along with torches and essential safety equipment, are deployed for night patrolling. Surprise night inspections are also conducted by the site in-charge, security supervisor and departmental staff to verify security arrangements and guard deployment, said the status report.
For addressing dark spots in the green zone, all 340 existing lights in the park are presently functional. Further, 105 additional lights have been installed in accordance with the recommendations of the Safety Audit Report, it said.
A joint inspection has been conducted with officials of the electrical department, and the proposal for installation of high-mast lights at suitable identified locations is under process, said the status report.
The official pointed out that augmentation of security facilities is being done while bearing ecological considerations in mind.
“Approximately 99 per cent of the park area falls within the Morphological Ridge. Accordingly, additional illumination in densely vegetated areas is being planned judiciously to avoid disturbance to the natural flora and fauna while ensuring adequate lighting along pathways and visitor-use areas,” said the official.
Other steps taken by the agencies include installation of four CCTV cameras, closure of gates at 9 p.m. and biometric attendance for all security guards, said the official.
Crime
Man arrested for cheating Delhi Police Constable of Rs 24 Lakh in investment scam

The Cyber Police Station of Delhi Police’s Central District has arrested a 26-year-old man for cheating a woman Constable of approximately Rs 24 lakh in an investment scam, officials said on Saturday.
The accused, identified as Vikrant Kumar alias Vicky Tomar, a resident of Vazidpur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district, was arrested in connection with FIR No. 271/2026, registered on September 8 under Sections 318(4), 316(2) and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the police, the case was registered following a complaint by Constable Shiwani of Delhi Police, who alleged that the accused approached her on Instagram under the pretext of seeking guidance regarding recruitment to the Delhi Police through the sports quota.
The conversation subsequently shifted to WhatsApp, where the accused allegedly established a rapport with the woman and portrayed himself as a prominent figure in cricket.
Investigators said he later persuaded her to invest money by promising high returns. Trusting his assurances, the complainant allegedly transferred her savings from her Axis Bank account, took a personal loan of Rs 12 lakh and borrowed additional money from acquaintances.
The woman was cheated of approximately Rs 24 lakh in total, the police said.
Of the total amount, around Rs 8 lakh was transferred to bank accounts linked to the online betting platform 1x.com, allegedly at the accused’s direction.
The police are investigating the financial transactions to establish the complete money trail and determine whether other individuals or accounts were involved in the alleged fraud.
The complaint also includes allegations of sexual misconduct. According to the police, during an in-person meeting, the accused allegedly touched the complainant’s waist inappropriately with the intention of outraging her modesty.
The allegation forms part of the case registered against him under the relevant provisions of the BNS.
The Cyber Police Station’s Central District team is continuing its investigation to determine whether the accused allegedly defrauded other people using a similar modus operandi.
Officials said efforts were underway to identify potential victims and establish whether additional financial transactions were linked to the case.
The police have not ruled out the possibility of further developments as the investigation progresses.
Business
ED raids Hyderabad firms in Rs 326 crore bank fraud probe

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Hyderabad Zonal Office, on Friday conducted search operations at seven premises across Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri in Telangana under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an official statement said on Saturday.
The raids targeted the registered office of M/s Kanakadhara Ventures Pvt. Ltd. (KVPL), the residences of its directors, and premises linked to entities and individuals alleged to have acted as conduits for the diversion of bank funds.
The searches form part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged “misutilisation” and diversion of credit facilities sanctioned to KVPL and its directors, the ED statement said.
The ED case stems from an FIR dated December 8, 2022, registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Bank Securities and Fraud Branch (BS&FB), Bangalore, on a complaint from Punjab National Bank.
The FIR alleges offences under Sections 120-B, 420, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code, and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
According to the agency, a consortium of banks led by Punjab National Bank — comprising IDBI Bank, Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank (now UBI) and Bank of Baroda — suffered a loss of Rs 326.49 crore.
ED investigations revealed that Bank Guarantee and Letter of Credit facilities granted to KVPL were misused. Funds were allegedly diverted through related and conduit entities on the strength of fabricated steel purchase invoices and transport documents.
The company is also accused of operating bank accounts outside the consortium arrangement without the knowledge of the lending banks, the statement said.
During the searches, officials seized incriminating documents, digital devices and other records related to the diversion and layering of funds. Unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 15 lakh was also recovered.
Multiple immovable properties and investments linked to the case have been identified.
ED said further investigation is underway.
The coordinated action underscores the agency’s continued focus on tracing the proceeds of bank frauds and cracking down on complex money-laundering networks involving corporate entities.
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