LI Network
Published on: December 23, 2023 at 00:45 IST
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has expressed strong disapproval of the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) officials and the Investigating Officer (IO) for their perceived negligence in investigating the alleged multi-crore drug racket operating within the confines of Ferozpur Central Jail.
The Court, led by Justice N.S. Shekhawat, castigated the SSOC head, Special DGP R.N Dhoke, and remarked that the severity of the situation warranted a CBI and ED investigation.
Justice Shekhawat, addressing Dhoke, queried, “Can there be any crime more serious than this? This Court has reason to believe that a multi-crore drug racket is running from prison…I will send the matter to CBI and ED to investigate…you are party to it. 43,000 calls are being made from jail (in 4 years), and not even one jail official is arrayed in FIR.”
The Court, expressing concern over the lackadaisical approach of SSOC, criticized the meetings conducted by Special Cells, attended by AIGs, as being limited to “tea and samosa.”
Inquiring about the IO’s progress, Justice Shekhawat questioned, “Have you investigated to whom these calls were made by the accused from the prison? Who were these people to whom calls were made? Were they accused?” The response, described as too general, prompted the Justice to insist on specificity.
Highlighting the IO’s laxity, the Court pointed out, “He ran away from the proceeding yesterday.”
The Court was informed of over 800 reported incidents of drug trade, resulting in the dismissal of only one jail official. Addressing the officials, the Court stated, “You are purchasing jammers and wasting the government’s money. In any case, it cannot be possible without the active connivance of jail officials.”
Background:
An FIR was filed against three inmates of Punjab’s Central Jail, Ferozepur, under the NDPS Act, revealing the operation of a drug racket within the jail premises. The involvement of jail officials in facilitating the racket was also indicated. The Court, observing attempts to shield guilty jail officials, summoned Punjab’s Special DG, Internal Security.
Case Title: Geetanjali v. State of Punjab