LI Network
Published on: December 13, 2023 at 00:03 IST
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the escalating issue of drug trafficking at the border areas of Punjab.
Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Aman Chaudhary, comprising a division bench, issued notices to the states of Punjab and Haryana, along with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
The court’s decision comes in response to a news article in “The Pioneer” Chandigarh, raising concerns about drug smuggling along the Punjab border. The Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly highlighted the need for preventive detention of suspected smugglers and provided a list of 75 individuals involved in drug trafficking to the Punjab Police.
The news item also detailed significant seizures and recoveries, including 755 Kg. of narcotic items transported by drones across the border in 2023. The court has directed the states to submit status reports outlining the actions taken in response to the BSF’s recommendations.
Moreover, the NCB has been tasked with providing status reports containing information on individuals suffering from drug addiction in Punjab and Haryana.
Given the magnitude of the recovered narcotic items in Punjab, the court has further urged the states to outline preventive measures to raise awareness among individuals not yet addicted to drugs and to prevent them from falling prey to the drug menace.
Case Title: Court on its own motion v. Union of India and others
