51 rescued from Haryana rehab centre, owner booked

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, July 25

A joint team of the Health and Social Welfare Departments and CM flying squad conducted a raid at an illegal drug de-addiction centre at Ugrakheri village and rescued 51 inmates.

Inmates subjected to inhuman conditions

• The facility was being run in gross violation of rules
• At least 51 inmates were confined to a hall meant to house 20 persons
• There was no proper arrangement for food and no psychiatrist was appointed

The police have booked the facility owner, Bijender Malik, under Section 420 of the IPC, Sections 100, 101 and 107 of the Mental Health Act and Section 32 of the NDPS Act. In his complaint to the police, Civil Surgeon Dr Jitender Kadiyan said a team of administrative and health officials during a surprise visit to the centre found that it was being operated illegally by Jeewan Suraksha Samiti.

When asked to produce the registration papers, staff member Pravesh only showed a provisional document. Tehsildar Kuldeep Malik said inhuman conditions prevailed at the facility. “There was only a single washroom. No proper arrangement for food was made. The electricity connection was illegal and no psychiatrist was appointed to treat the addicts,” he said.

Inspector Manjeet, SHO, Chandnibagh, said all the inmates were handed over to their family members and a probe was initiated.

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