Pune traffic constable held in Telangana with 12 kg ganja on train

A Pune city police personnel has been caught smuggling ganja in Telangana, sending shockwaves through the police department. He was found with a full 12 kg of ganja, which he was carrying by rail.

The arrested policeman is Nitin Gyanu Shinde, 33, a resident of Pune. A case has been registered against him under the NDPS Act at Nekunda police station in Telangana.

Telangana Police informed Pune Police about the matter on Sunday. According to the information available, Shinde is a member of the Pune police force and was posted with the Vishrambaug traffic division under the traffic branch. He had been on medical leave since October 8. On Sunday, Telangana Police told Pune Police that Shinde had been caught smuggling 12 kg of ganja by train, and the matter came to light.

It is not yet clear where Shinde was bringing the ganja. It is also not known whether anyone else is involved. Other details have not yet emerged. The fact that a member of the police force itself was found smuggling ganja has caused a major stir in Pune.

A similar incident has occurred in Mira-Bhayander. During a drive against the sale of narcotics, a police head constable was arrested in a case of selling MD drugs. MD drugs, cash, a two-wheeler and mobile phones were seized from Head Constable Prakash Pawar and his alleged associate Akhilesh Kumar. The total value of these items has been put at Rs 1,32,550.

Police Commissioner Aniket Kaushik had vowed to make Mira-Bhayander drug-free. With the police department's own employee now accused of selling narcotics, questions are being raised about the impact of this campaign. The sale of narcotics was already a serious problem in Mira-Bhayander, and with one of those responsible for acting against it now accused of selling MD drugs, there is a stir there too.