Illegal de-addiction centre raided in Harike, eight patients rescued

The district administration on Tuesday busted an illegal de-addiction centre at Booh Havelian village under the Harike police station and rescued eight patients who had been admitted forcibly by the centre’s management.

Two accused running the illegal facility were arrested on the spot, while two of their associates managed to flee.

Acting on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Rahul, a team was constituted by Dr. Gurpreet Singh Rai. The team included Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr. Roopam Chaudhary, Tehsildar (Harike) Akwinder Kaur, Nodal Officer (De-Addiction Centre) Dr. Pawandeep, Pharmacy Officer Varinderpal Singh Bhatia, councillor Yogita, SHO Harike Balraj Singh, and a representative of the DSP, Patti.

During the raid, the team found that Safe Life Rehabilitation Centre, Booh Havelian, was being run illegally without permission, registration, or qualified staff. Serious violations were detected related to patient care, treatment protocols, accommodation and overall safety standards.

The team rescued eight patients who had been kept at the centre against their will. They were shifted to the state government-run drug de-addiction centre for proper care. The accused operating the illegal centre have been identified as Harsimranpal Singh, alias Harshpinder Singh, of Pringri (Patti); Ravinderpal Singh of Ferozepur; Ajay Kumar of Patti; and Deepak Masih of Ghariala.

Ajay Kumar and Deepak Masih were arrested, while the other two managed to escape. The Harike police have registered a case under Sections 318(2), 318(4), 127(2), 127(3) and 127(4) of the BNS.