Vinod Kumar Raina Removed from Service Under Article 311(2); Barred from Future Government Employment
JAMMU, August 12 :
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has dismissed Vinod Kumar Raina, Watcher (MTS) in the Department of Wildlife Protection, from government service with immediate effect following an inquiry into his alleged involvement in multiple cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The dismissal order was issued by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment under Government Order No. 173-JK(FST) of 2026, dated August 12, 2026. The government has also disqualified him from any future employment under the Government.
According to the order, Raina, son of Som Raina and resident of Kandikhas, Tehsil Handwara, District Kupwara, was involved in FIR No. 329/2021 registered at Police Station Nagrota under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act. He was arrested on July 18, 2021, in connection with the alleged recovery of approximately 300 grams of Charas-like substance from his possession.
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, cited in the inquiry proceedings, confirmed that the recovered substance was Charas. The challan in the case was subsequently filed before the competent court and the matter is presently under trial, with no judgment having been passed so far.
The inquiry also brought on record Raina’s alleged involvement in an earlier NDPS case registered in 2014. As per the official police records cited in the inquiry report, approximately 850 grams of Charas was allegedly recovered from his possession on January 13, 2014. He was arrested in FIR No. 06/2014 registered at Police Station Nowabad, Jammu, under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act.
The Inquiry Officer, in the report submitted on May 29, 2026, observed that the repeated involvement of the same government employee in two separate NDPS-related cases could not be treated as an isolated occurrence or mere coincidence.
The inquiry report further stated that the material placed on record, including statements of the delinquent official, witnesses, departmental records, FSL reports, judicial records and other relevant material, raised serious concerns regarding the official’s conduct, integrity and suitability for government service.
The Inquiry Officer recommended appropriate disciplinary action, observing that the alleged conduct was unbecoming of a government servant and contrary to the standards prescribed under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Conduct Rules.
The government order noted that the case had been examined in detail in light of the inquiry report, police investigation, arrest, custodial detention and pending criminal proceedings. It further recorded that the competent authority found the continued employment of the official to be detrimental to public interest and government service.
The order also referred to Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India, which provides for dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities under the Union or a State after following the prescribed procedure.
The government observed that when the administration and society are engaged in combating the drug menace, alleged involvement of a government employee in narcotics-related activities is a serious matter that can adversely affect public confidence in government institutions.
Accordingly, exercising powers under Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India, read with the applicable provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules and the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, the competent authority ordered dismissal of Vinod Kumar Raina from government service with immediate effect.
The order, signed by Sheetal Nanda, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, makes it clear that Raina shall also remain disqualified from any future employment with the Government.
The action marks a stringent departmental response against a government employee facing repeated NDPS-related cases, with the government stressing the need to maintain integrity, discipline and public confidence in government service.(KNC)