Andhra Pradesh HC: Issues Guidelines on Narcotic Cases to Police and Special Courts

Chaini Parwani –

Published on: November 29, 2021 at 15:58 IST

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued certain guidelines to the Police and Special Courts for dealing with the cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The High Court highlighted that in cases registered under the NDPS Act, vehicle drivers and other inmates are being shown as the accused while the kingpins of the trade are never included as the accused.

Justice Lalitha Kanneganti right before her transfer to the Telangana High Court stated in her recent Judgment that the Special Court at Visakhapatnam hearing NDPS cases is not initiating steps to number and list the cases.

Justice Lalitha further highlighted that the Bail Applications and extension of Custody Applications are not in accordance with the Supreme Court Guidelines.

Justice Lalitha further noted that despite submitting several copies of the Order to the Director General of Police (DGP) the High Court has been getting several cases where the Accused has been suffering in Judicial Remand for more than six months.

Furthermore, on large scale cultivation of Ganja in Agency areas, Justice Lalitha observed that the locals are not aware of its legal implications and that a special wing to probe these cases should be established.

Justice Lalitha further directed the Special Judge dealing with NDPS cases to file an Affidavit stating the details of the number of Bail Petitions filed, when they were numbered after filing, when they were heard and when the Orders were passed in those Petitions.

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