In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita-2023 (BNSS) read with the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, Dr. Rakesh Minhas, District Magistrate Jammu has ordered that no courier company, parcel service, or logistics operator functioning within the district Jammu shall accept, book or transport any narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or other contraband items unless it holds a valid transport permit under NDPS Rules 1985 and as per regulations under Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1940.
“All courier companies/parcel services shall strictly verify the identity and credentials of consignors and consignees, including valid government-issued identity proof, maintain complete records of consignments, including sender and receiver details, parcel description, weight, booking receipt and date of booking, mode of payment received (cash, digital, cheque, UPI, card, etc.) against each consignment along with transaction details wherever applicable.
Ensure that all employees engaged in courier/parcel services-delivery staff, loaders, booking clerks, franchise workers are duly verified through local police verification and an updated register of such verified employees is maintained. They shall impart training and sensitization to employees for identifying suspicious consignments and reporting them immediately to the nearest police authority.
Any courier company/agency found violating this order shall be held personally and legally responsible. Owners, MDs, directors, agents, and all employees involved may be prosecuted under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, BNSS and other applicable laws. Penalties may include seizure of consignments, cancellation of license, fines and criminal sanctions,” the order reads.
“The Senior Superintendent of Police Jammu is directed to ensure strict enforcement of this order to conduct inspections and initiate necessary legal action against defaulters.
As the notice cannot be served individually on all concerned, this order is hereby passed ex-parte. It is being promulgated for the information of public at large and shall be published on district website, leading newspaper and by affixing copies on the Notice Boards of the Offices of SSP Jammu, All SDMs, All Tehsildars, all SDPOS and all SHOs of Jammu District.
This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for the period of eight weeks, unless withdrawn earlier, and subject to further extension or modification.
Any contravention of the order shall attract legal consequences as contemplated under section 223 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023,” the order directs.