HC slams ‘arrest targets’ in anti-drug drive, says innocents may be framed

Less than a week after the Punjab Director General of Police announced that the performance of police officials would be assessed based on assigned targets in the ongoing anti-drug drive, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has warned that the move will create a draconian scenario where innocent will be made victims of false implication to meet arrest quotas.

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The court categorically held that such a policy would fuel unchecked abuse of authority, derailing the very objective of the anti-drug campaign. “As far as the present scenario of Punjab is concerned, the anti-drug drive is a welcome step to combat the rising menace. But in cases where the performances of the police authorities will be assessed based on the completion of quantified targets, this court has no hesitation in saying that such an approach will create a barbaric situation wherein the innocent person will be made scapegoats to achieve one’s target,” Justice Sandeep Moudgil asserted.

The assertion came after the court took note of a news report dated March 18, explicitly quoting DGP Gaurav Yadav as saying that the performance of SSPs and SHOs would be assessed based on the number of arrests and seizures in the ongoing anti-drug operation.

Expressing concern, Justice Moudgil said: “This incremental approach by law enforcement authorities can be likened to a bounty, which, rather than curbing the drug trade, may inadvertently facilitate its expansion at an accelerated rate due to the focus on meeting quantified targets.”

The court acknowledged that combating the drug menace was necessary, but warned against target-driven policing.

The Bench was hearing a bail plea in a case registered on April 22, 2024, registered under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at Special Task Force police station in Sector 79 in Mohali district.

Granting bail to the accused, Justice Moudgil noted undue delay in trial.