Punjab & Haryana High Court directs Haryana DGP to submit list of NDPS cases where accused remain unarrested for over six months

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana to submit a comprehensive report listing all cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) where the accused have not been arrested for over six months.

Justice NS Shekhawat observed that investigations into NDPS Act cases across various districts of Haryana were not being properly supervised.

In its order dated August 18, the Court instructed the DGP to provide detailed information on:

1. The number and particulars of FIRs registered under the NDPS Act.
2. Names of accused who remain unarrested for more than six months.
3. Steps taken by the police to arrest such accused persons.
4. Disciplinary action, if any, against Investigating Officers (IOs) found negligent.
5. Measures adopted to declare such accused as proclaimed offenders/persons under Section 84 of BNSS.
6. Applications, if filed, before courts for attachment of movable and immovable properties of absconders.

The Court was hearing a petition filed by an accused seeking a fair and impartial probe in connection with a drugs case registered in February 2025. It noted that the petitioner already faced 12 criminal cases and was allegedly a habitual offender.

Expressing shock at the inaction of the police, the bench remarked:

“The FIR was registered on 06.02.2025, and even after six months the police has failed to arrest such a drugs smuggler. This clearly indicates that local police officials are hand in glove with the accused.”

The Court has now sought an affidavit from the DGP with the required details and scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 16, 2025.

Advocates Aditya Sanghi and Kartik Mittal appeared on behalf of the petitioner.