Eight habitual offenders held under PITNDPS Act

In a major crackdown aimed at curbing the rising drug menace in the state, the Himachal Pradesh Police has successfully detained eight habitual offenders under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, in the past one week

In Nurpur police district, the police have detained two habitual offenders namely Pinki, a resident of Channi village in Indora Tehsil, and Sagar alias Ajay, resident of Moch Jhikla village in Fatehpur Tehsil. Pinki had multiple NDPS cases against her and was detained under Section 3(1) of the PITNDPS Act on March 23. Despite being previously arrested in heroin (chitta) cases, Pinki continued engaging in drug trafficking activities. She is currently being held in Central Jail, Nahan. Meanwhile, Sagar, who was detained on March 22, was first arrested in 2024 with 156 grams of heroin.

Similarly, two offenders from Chamba district were detained under the PITNDPS Act on March 22. The accused, Shoukat Ali and Akshay, have been involved in drug trafficking. Shoukat Ali was caught with contraband while serving the detention order. In Sirmaur district, Babli alias Babya of Salani village, Nahan Tehsil, was detained under a three-month order from the Home Department for her repeated offences related to drug trafficking. She has been lodged in Model Central Jail, Nahan, since March 21.

In the Baddi police district, two habitual offenders identified as Akku and Sher Mohammad of Nalagarh in Solan district, were detained for three months following recommendations from the Baddi SP. Both individuals are habitual offenders with multiple NDPS cases against them. In Kangra district, Kiran Kumar of Sakoh was detained for three months under Section 3(2) of the PITNDPS Act on March 22.

Director General of Police (DGP) Dr Atul Verma said the state government has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy against drugs and continues to enforce the PITNDPS Act strictly. “The Detaining Authority (Secretary Home, HP) was notified on April 5, 2021, to enhance preventive detention measures against drug traffickers. Additionally, an Advisory Board, chaired by a Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, was formed on April 23, 2023, to ensure legal oversight of the detentions under the PITNDPS Act,” he said.

“Since its implementation in 2024, the PITNDPS Act has seen the detention of 12 individuals. Four individuals were initially detained under this provision in 2024, and the latest eight detentions bring the total to 12 so far. Ongoing financial investigations into the assets of the detained individuals are expected to yield further findings. Based on these investigations, additional legal actions may be taken against those involved in drug trafficking,” said the DGP.