SHIMLA: The Competent Authority of India in the Ministry of Finance has approved the freezing of the property worth Rs 88 lakh under NDPS Act of four drug smugglers from Malana village, feted as the seat of surviving oldest village democracy in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh
The police claims that this action has given a big jolt to the drug mafias of the state as it has shown a commitment of the police for “zero tolerance to drugs” in Himachal Pradesh.
According to the spokesperson, the competent authority gave its approval for the freezing of a five-storied hotel, a big house in Malana in the government land, four vehicles along with the bank accounts of the accused four persons and their relatives.
They were booked under the NDPS Act in 2021. Malana is feted as the oldest surviving democracy which has become notorious for its world-famous Hashish, "Malana cream" trade among the drug cartels around the world.
Malana cream is produced from the hybrid Bhang plants cultivated in the wilds away from the gaze of the police.
Malana villagers are worshippers of their lord of land- Jamadagni Rishi or Jamlu Devta. No outsider can touch and stay in the village without his permission.
Malana over the years has famed as a favourite haunt for the foreigners and Indians including drug smugglers, seeking "kicks" and illegal "hash trade of Malana cream".
Financial investigations found that the four accused in the case amassed their property from the illegal drug trade, revealed the police.
The police in fact had seized 1.831 kilograms of charas/cannabis from the possession of Kirna Devi, a resident of district Kullu and Vicky, resident of Chamba on 26.4.2021.
The FIR was registered against them under the NDPS Act at Police Station Aut in district Mandi. The police later arrested two more accused, Lala Ram and Kamlesh Kumar.
As per the provisions of Chapter VA of the NDPS Act, 1985, the financial investigation of the case was undertaken.
The freezing order for the property amassed by the four accused was passed by SHO Aut inspector Lalit Mahant.
The order was sent to the Competent Authority in Ministry of Finance, which confirmed the freezing of the three properties of the accused under section 68F(2) of the NDPS Act, 1985.
The accused persons owned a house at village Malana valued at 55 lakhs, a hotel in the government land at Malana worth over Rs 21 lakhs and four vehicles worth Rs 12 lakh.
The police have also frozen their different bank accounts. The total value of the frozen property is over Rs 88 lakhs, said the spokesperson.
