Jammu, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested a long-time absconder who was wanted in connection with a 2004 narcotics case, bringing him before a court after allegedly evading the judicial process for nearly eight years.
The accused was identified as Amjad Ali Naik, son of Abdul Qadeer Naik and a resident of Ratnipora in Shopian district, the Crime Branch Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Jammu said in a statement.
Naik was wanted in connection with FIR No. 44/2004, registered under Sections 8 and 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The Crime Branch said the chargesheet in the case had already been filed before the Court of the 2nd Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu. However, the accused had allegedly remained unavailable to authorities and had been absconding since 2018.
A Crime Branch EOW team traced and apprehended Naik following efforts to locate him. After his arrest, he was produced before the Court of the 2nd Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu, for further proceedings in accordance with law.
The Crime Branch said the arrest marked a significant development in the long-pending case, which had remained affected by the accused’s prolonged absence.
The action also reflects the agency’s efforts to trace individuals who evade judicial proceedings and produce them before the competent courts, the statement said.
SSP Crime Branch EOW Jammu Faisal Qureshi warned long-absconding accused to surrender and cooperate with legal proceedings, cautioning that failure to do so could invite further action in accordance with law.
The Economic Offences Wing is a specialised unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch tasked with investigating high-profile economic offences. The Crime Branch said such cases require dedicated investigation teams and technological support, unlike routine law-and-order responsibilities handled by territorial police.
FOLLOW NOW
