Mumbai: FIR Filed Against NCB Zonal Director Amit Ghawate Following High Court Order

An FIR has been registered against Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Amit Ghawate in Mumbai following directions from the High Court. The case dates back to last year, when an NCB team conducted a raid at a residence in Navi Mumbai. After the raid, the victim’s family levelled serious allegations, claiming that senior NCB officials had demanded ₹10 to ₹15 crore from them. It was alleged that they were threatened with being implicated in a false case if the money was not paid.

Amid mounting pressure and alleged threats, the victim reportedly died by suicide after shooting himself at his residence. The incident had sparked significant outrage and calls for judicial intervention. Acting on the High Court’s directive, the police have now registered an FIR against Amit Ghawate and initiated an investigation. Further legal action is underway. Ghawate had taken charge as the NCB Zonal Director after Sameer Wankhede.

According to the complaint, several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked, including Sections 108, 308(3), 352, 351(2), and 3(5). These sections broadly pertain to abetment, criminal intimidation, use of force, and acts committed with common intent. The inclusion of these sections indicates serious allegations related to coercion, harassment, and circumstances linked to the victim’s suicide.

The FIR states that the alleged incidents occurred over a prolonged period between February 2, 2025, and April 25, 2025. However, the complaint was registered nearly a year later, in March 2026. The FIR also includes a section explaining the delay in reporting the matter.

Following the registration of the FIR, the NCB Mumbai issued a clarification. The agency stated that in January 2025, it had seized cocaine and other narcotic substances from Belapur and subsequently filed a complaint under the NDPS Act in July 2025. The alleged kingpin of the case, Naveen Gurunath Chichkar, was deported from Malaysia and arrested.

NCB further stated that a total of nine arrests were made in the case. Except for Uday Gavande, who was granted interim bail for two months on family grounds, no other accused has received bail. The agency claimed that the operation led to the complete busting of an international drug syndicate run by Chichkar. During the financial investigation, assets worth ₹10.6 crore linked to Chichkar were frozen, which has also been confirmed by SAFEMA in Mumbai.

The NCB Mumbai maintained that due process of law was followed throughout the operation and denied any wrongdoing or illegal actions.