Atul Sharma
Nowshera, June 21: Police have arrested a former Block Development Council (BDC) member and ex-Sarpanch with a significant quantity of suspected heroin in Nowshera.
According to the details available with Early Times Police Post Lamberi, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Nowshera acting on specific inputs set up a special naka (checkpoint) near Radha Swami Ashram at Bagnoti. “The naka party, supervised by Head Constable Narinder Kumar, intercepted a suspicious vehicle bearing (No. JK02DL-7776) which was traveling from Lamberi towards Bagnoti,” said an official. He said, “Upon noticing the police presence, the driver attempted to flee but was swiftly overpowered by alert police personnel.” The accused was identified as Vikas Kumar Sharma, son of Darshan Kumar Sharma, a resident of Thill Hakima, Rajal B, Tehsil Nowshera. He is a former BDC member and Ex-Sarpanch, having held pub Elected as Sarpanch in November 2018; held the post until September 2019. Became a BDC member in September 2019; remained in office for 8 months. Was removed through a No-Confidence Motion passed by local panchayat members in April 2020.
During a personal search, approximately 10 grams of a heroin-like substance was recovered from his possession.
A case has been registered under FIR No. 80/2025 at Police Station Nowshera under relevant sections of the NDPS Act (8/21/22/25).
The accused has a history of criminal involvement, with the following FIRs registered against him: FIR No. 137/2006 – Under Section 294 RPC, FIR No. 116/2017 – Under Sections 341/188 RPC, FIR No. 118/2020 – Under Sections 341/188/147/270/269 IPC.
Elected as Sarpanch in November 2018; held the post until September 2019. Became a BDC member in September 2019; remained in office for 8 months. Was removed through a No-Confidence Motion passed by local panchayat members in April 2020.
Police have launched a detailed investigation to determine the source of the contraband and explore any potential links to a wider drug trafficking network. | 