The High Court of Punjab and Haryana took suo moto cognizance against drug trafficking at border areas of Punjab after a news item reporting details of seizures and recovery of narcotic items as well as rifles and pistols was published in the newspaper and directed the NCB to file a status report giving details of the persons suffering from drug addiction in the States of Punjab and Haryana, and what kind of steps can be taken to make them aware of the drug menace.
Brief Facts:
The court took suo moto cognizance of a news item published in the newspaper “The Pioneer”, wherein it has been reported that the Border Security Force (BSF) has raised a concern of preventive detention of smugglers to combat drug smuggling and they have given a list of 75 individuals, who are suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, to the Punjab Police. Details of seizures and recovery of narcotic items as well as rifles and pistols, effected in the year 2023, have also been mentioned in this news item. It has been reported that 755 Kg. of narcotic items, which were being supplied in India on the border by way of drones, have been recovered. Rifles and pistols were also reported to have been seized by the BSF.
Observations of the court:
The court directed the State of Punjab to file a status report with respect to the steps being taken in pursuance of the report given to it by the BSF and further directed the State of Haryana to file a status report regarding the steps being taken in the State in the matter.
The court further directed the NCB to file a status report giving details of the persons suffering from drug addiction in the States of Punjab and Haryana, and what kind of steps can be taken to make persons, who to date are not in drug addiction, aware of the drug menace, and how they should be prevented from taking drugs, as the narcotic items recovered in the State of Punjab, as reported in the newspaper, are huge.
The decision of the Court:
The court directed the registry to assign it as a PIL and issued directions to the state and NCB.
Case Title: Court on its own motion vs Union of India and ors.
Coram: Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Ritu Bahri and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aman Chaudhary
Case No.: CWP-PIL-122-2023
Advocate for the Petitioner: None
Advocate for the Respondent: Ms. Anu Pal, Mr. Deepak Balyan and Ms. Puneeta Sethi
Read Judgment @LatestLaws.com
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