HRTC manager, 4 others held for drug peddling in Shimla
SHIMLA: An HRTC official and four others were arrested on charges of illegal drug trade from Shoghi, 15 kilometres from the capital town, on Sunday night.
The accused have been identified as Mahinder Kumar, regional manager of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), Solan; Vikas Kumar and Rajiv—both residents of Kangra; Gyassuddin, a Jammu and Kashmir resident, and Daulat Ram, a Solan resident.
Acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted Mahinder Kumar’s official vehicle, coming from Solan side and recovered 4.4-kg heroin from the vehicle during checking, a police official said.
As per the police, Gyassuddin brought the heroin from Jammu and Kashmir and sold it to the regional manager of HRTC, who was further going to sell it to another party for ₹30 lakh. “There were five packets in all and each packet was going to be sold for ₹6 lakh,” sources said.
In the meantime, the police got a tip-off and intercepted the vehicle. Forensic experts have confirmed that the seized substance is ‘chitta’ (a colloquial for heroin) but samples have been sent to laboratory for further testing.
It is also being suspected that the manager misused his official vehicle for smuggling drugs earlier too. Police said a Jammu and Kashmir resident had provided the contraband to Kumar. Further investigation is on.
Shimla superintendent of police (SP) DW Negi said more arrests are likely soon. A case has been registered under section 22, 29-61-85 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, against all the accused.
HRTC SUSPENDS OFFICER Transport minister GS Bali said the RM, who was allegedly involved in the drug peddling case, has been suspended. Bali has also ordered a departmental
probe against him.
“He was earlier also suspended in some other case but was reinstated in 2008,” Bali said, adding, “This incident has tarnished the image of HRTC.”