Opium, phones, chargers seized from Bhondsi jail volunteer warder

In the raid, 20 grams of opium worth ₹2,400 was found and three cellphones, two phone chargers and a battery were also recovered.

The volunteer jail warder of Bhondsi Jail was arrested with 20 grams of opium, four cellphones, one battery and two phone chargers after a surprise raid on Friday.

A general view of the Bhondsi jail in Gurugram. (HT Photo)

Officials familiar with the development said that the accused was suspected to have supplied narcotics to inmates lodged in the jail.

During the raid, some papers listing certain phone numbers were also found from the warder’s wallet. Police said that they were investigating if there was a nexus between the accused and the inmates.

A case was registered against Vinod Kumar, an ex-serviceman and a resident of Pathreri village, who was serving as a volunteer jail warder since January.

Bhondsi SHO Umesh Kumar said, “A case was registered against the accused for possession under sections 17, 61 and 85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.”

In the FIR registered at the Bhondsi police station, the complainant, Deputy Superintendent of Jail Mohmad Sajid Khan stated that the accused was suspected of supplying narcotics and cellphones to inmates.

The complainant stated, “After a tip-off, a quick reaction team conducted a raid at 3.55pm. In the raid, 20 grams of opium worth ₹2,400 was found from the right pocket of his trousers. He was carrying three cellphones, which have been seized. One cellphone was concealed in a sock. Two phone chargers and a battery were also recovered.”

In a similar incident in 2012, a jail warden in Bhondsi, Pawan Kumar, was arrested with 4kg sulfa and was accused of supplying drugs to inmates and providing them access to cellphones.