Punjab Police raid properties linked to drug inspector, 24 bank accounts having Rs 6.69 crore frozen
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 8
The Punjab Police’s special task force (STF) today claimed to have frozen 24 bank accounts (total amount Rs 6.69 crore) linked to Drug Inspector Shishan Mittal, who has been booked under various sections of the NDPS Act.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said the STF carried out the operation and seized huge cash and foreign currency during a series of coordinated raids conducted at different locations in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
The raids were conducted as part of an ongoing investigation against Mittal for allegedly facilitating drug smuggling operations connected with illegal pharmaceutical and medical stores, besides money laundering via benami accounts. The raids were carried out at eight different locations, including Bathinda, Maur Mandi, Gidderbaha, Mohali, Chandigarh and Fatehabad (Haryana). ADGP-STF Nilabh Kishore led the operation.
The police carried out the raids on the basis of questioning of Mittal. He was, however, yet to be formally arrested in the case.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said the bank accounts frozen by the police were in the name of the accused drug inspector and some benami accounts operated in the names of his relatives.
Three bank lockers were also seized, he said while adding that police teams had observed serious financial irregularities, whereby frequent cash deposits were made in the benami accounts.
During the raids, the STF seized around Rs 9.31 lakh in cash, 260 gm gold and 515 dirhams. Assets acquired through the proceeds of illegal activities were also identified. These included flats valued at Rs 2 crore in Zirakpur, plot in Dabwali (Rs 40 lakh) among others, he added.
The DGP said the preliminary investigation suggested that the accused was in regular touch with drug smugglers lodged in various jails and he facilitated their drug network outside. Probe also found that the accused travelled to foreign countries frequently without taking permission from the government or availing ex-India leave, he added.
“Further investigations are on and action will be taken as per the outcomes of the investigation,” said the DGP.
Was in touch with smugglers
- Raids conducted as part of an ongoing investigation against Drug Inspector Shishan Mittal for allegedly facilitating drug smuggling operations and money laundering via benami bank accounts
- Preliminary probe suggests that the accused was in regular touch with drug smugglers lodged in various jails and he facilitated their drug network outside
