HC raps Punjab for stalling drug probe

Less than a month after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to conduct random raids to check illegal over-the-counter sale of drugs, the inquiry regarding the State of Punjab has hit a roadblock due to non-supply of information sought by the central agencies.

Expressing displeasure, the HC asserted that the state’s inaction was not only obstructing the court-mandated inquiry, but also detrimental to public interest, as the investigation was aimed at eradicating the drug menace.

The HC, in two-related orders, had also asked the CBI, NCB and the police forces of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to cooperate in a concerted effort to tackle the drug menace.

“With regard to the inaction on part of the State of Punjab, we had expressed our displeasure to the counsel appearing for the state, as such inaction was not only stalling the inquiry being conducted in pursuance to the orders of this court but was also against public interest, as the inquiry is an attempt to eradicate drug menace spread across the region,” the Bench of Justice Deepak Sibal and Justice HS Grewal asserted.

The court noted that the CBI and NCB had sought specific information from the Punjab Government as far back as December 26, 2024, but the failure to supply the data had stalled further action.

The court said: “Considering the larger public interest behind the inquiry being conducted by the CBI/NCB and because the information sought from the State of Punjab by the CBI/NCB was way back on December 26, 2024, we would expect the state to supply the sought information to the CBI as soon as possible, but not later than 10 days.”