Srinagar, Aug 12(GNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has dismissed SVinod Kumar Raina, a Watcher (MTS) in the Department of Wildlife Protection, from service over his involvement in narcotic cases, invoking Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India.
According to Government Order, a copy of which lies with GNS, states Raina, a resident of Kandikhas, Handwara, Kupwara, was found involved in FIR No. 329/2021 registered at Police Station Nagrota under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act for alleged recovery of 300 grams of charas-like substance. He was arrested on 18.07.2021.
The order states that Raina was placed under suspension on 27.07.2021 by the Wildlife Warden, Jammu. Later, a departmental inquiry was initiated and Vivek Verma, IFS, Conservator of Forests (Working Plan)was appointed as Inquiry Officer.
As per the inquiry report submitted on 29.05.2026, the FSL report in the Nagrota case confirmed the recovered substance to be “charas”. The challan has been filed and the case is presently under trial.
The inquiry further revealed that Raina had earlier also been arrested in FIR No. 06/2014 at Police Station Nowabad, Jammu under Sections 8/20/21 of NDPS Act, with alleged recovery of approximately 850 grams of charas from his possession on 13.01.2014.
“The repeated involvement of the same government employee in two separate NDPS related cases, raises serious concerns regarding the integrity, conduct, and overall suitability of the delinquent official in public service,” the Inquiry Officer observed.
The report, endorsed by the PCCF (Wildlife)/Chief Wildlife Warden J&K, recommended “appropriate action” to uphold integrity and public confidence in government service.
Citing that “involvement of a Government Employee in drug dealings is a very serious matter” when the government is fighting the drug menace, the Competent Authority ordered Raina’s immediate dismissal from service. The order also disqualifies him from any future government employment.
The action has been taken under the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 and J&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971.(GNS)
