Orders not followed, HC tells DGP to attend hearing

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 27

Rapping the state for its failure to implement mandatory directions issued more than six months back for dealing with drugs menace, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the state DGP to be present in the court on the next date of hearing, August 29.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, the Bench of Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Harinder Singh Sidhu asserted the situation could have been controlled by up to 70 per cent by now had the orders been complied with.

Appearing before the Bench, ADGP Harpreet Sidhu said an additional manpower of 1,000 personnel was required for the special task force he was heading. As of now, the force has just 500 personnel attached with it.

The Bench was also told during the course of hearing that information on drug cases involving large amounts of money had also been given to the Enforcement Directorate. Assistant solicitor-general of India Chetan Mittal, appearing the behalf of the ED, submitted that it was essential to catch hold of big traffickers to curb the menace and it was only possible if their properties were ordered to be attached.

The Bench also referred to the reports of a girl being tied up in chains by her mother in Amritsar. It added the mother would not have been compelled to take such an action, if the de-addiction and rehabilitation centers in the state were in place.

The Bench had, in January, issued 25 “mandatory” directions for eradicating the menace. The commandments included directions to the DGP to revamp, restructure and strengthen the STF.