HC raps cops for ‘casual’ probe in NDPS cases

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 30

In a major embarrassment for the Haryana Police, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asserted that investigation into cases of alleged drug trafficking in the state is being conducted in a “casual and cavalier manner”.

Justice NS Shekhawat directed the Gurugram Commissioner of Police to file an affidavit detailing all FIRs registered under NDPS Act in all police stations under his jurisdiction where accused have not been arrested for over six months.

The directions came in a case where an accused in a drugs case was “roaming freely” and had not been arrested by the police even though the FIR in the matter was registered in July 2023 and the earlier anticipatory bail petition filed by him was withdrawn from the court in July this year.

“From the record, it is apparent that even after a lapse of more than one year, the accused in the present case is roaming freely and has not been arrested by the police. This clearly reflects that in a case where there are serious allegations of trafficking of drugs in the State of Haryana, the investigation is being conducted in a most casual and cavalier manner,” Justice Shekhawat asserted.

The matter was brought to Justice Shekhawat’s notice after the accused filed the petition for the grant of anticipatory bail registered under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at Bilaspur police station in Gurugram district

Justice Shekhawat further directed that the affidavit should specify whether the accused in such cases had been declared proclaimed offenders and whether efforts had been made to attach their properties. Fixing the matter for hearing on September 9, Justice Shekhawat said the Gurugram Commissioner of Police was required to appear in person before the court, if the affidavit was not submitted by date fixed. Justice Shekhawat added the Supreme Court had underscored the necessity for speedy investigation and trials.