In a historic enforcement of the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976 (SAFEMA), Chhattisgarh has frozen properties worth Rs 35 lakh belonging to a female narcotics smuggler for the first time. The SAFEMA Court in Mumbai validated the seizure of Ginni Jangade alias Godavari Jangade’s illegally acquired assets, marking a significant stride in narcotics- related financial prosecutions.

 

 

 

The case (Crime No. 1004/24) was initially registered at the Civil Lines Police Station in Bilaspur after a seizure of narcotic injections and tablets. Investigators uncovered that Jangade had earned substantial amounts through drug trafficking, which were used to purchase properties. Acting under Section 68F of the NDPS Act, the Bilaspur Police issued a seizure order on December 15, 2024. This order, sent to the SAFEMA Court, received final confirmation today, January 2, 2025. The Bilaspur Police’s end-to-end financial investigation revealed Jangade’s significant bank transactions, with no legitimate income sources to justify the wealth.

 

Additional evidence from revenue department records demonstrated that her properties were financed through illicit drug sales. This comprehensive approach led to a freezing order under Section 68F (2), a first for Chhattisgarh. Speaking to The Hitavada, Bilaspur SP Rajnesh Singh elaborated, “This is a landmark development for Chhattisgarh. By targeting the financial assets of narcotics operations, we have effectively demonstrated how financial investigations can serve as a robust tool in tackling organised crime.”