The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested a Haryana resident wanted in a heroin case on the evening of 24 August, intercepting him at a hotel in Ahmedabad just as he was allegedly preparing to flee to Abu Dhabi. The accused, Azadsingh Valmiki, a native of Lakhnoura village in Ambala district, was traced to Hotel Govindam in the city's Madhupura area before he could board an international flight.

How the Arrest Unfolded

Police Inspector J.N. Chavda received a tip-off that Valmiki — wanted in an FIR registered at Shimla West Police Station in Himachal Pradesh under Section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act — was hiding in Madhupura. The information was escalated to senior officers, and on the instructions of Superintendent of Police K. Siddharth, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Harsh Upadhyay was deployed to verify the lead. The team searched Hotel Govindam and found Valmiki on the premises; he was taken to the ATS office in Ahmedabad for questioning.

The Alleged Narcotics Network

During preliminary interrogation, Valmiki allegedly told investigators that he had been employed as a sales boy at Chandigarh Airport, where he came into contact with a taxi driver named Shubh Karman. According to the ATS, Karman allegedly approached Valmiki approximately a month before the arrest, claiming to possess around one kg of heroin and offering him a commission to identify a buyer.

Valmiki allegedly then contacted his cousin, Vijay Kumar Darshanlal, also a resident of Lakhnoura in the Narayangarh area of Haryana, who reportedly agreed to procure the drug. Vijay Kumar subsequently travelled to Shimla carrying approximately one kg of heroin and was arrested by Shimla West Police on 3 August with 1.120 kg of the substance.

Flight Attempt and Interception

Upon learning of his cousin's arrest, Valmiki allegedly went absconding. He reportedly travelled by train from his home state to Ahmedabad via Delhi, and was allegedly making arrangements to travel to Abu Dhabi when the ATS closed in. This is consistent with a broader pattern in inter-state narcotics cases where accused persons attempt international escape after a co-accused is detained.

What Happens Next

The Gujarat ATS has formally notified Shimla West Police of Valmiki's arrest. Legal proceedings are under way to transfer custody to the Himachal Pradesh Police for further action in the original case. The ATS described the arrest as part of its ongoing efforts to apprehend accused individuals linked to inter-state narcotics networks.