Punjab and Haryana High Court to examine drug case reports

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 13

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today made clear its intent to examine the inquiry reports submitted during the past couple of years in the Punjab drugs menace case before proceeding further in the matter.

The special Division Bench of Justice Rajan Gupta and Justice Ajay Tewari also directed the High Court Registrar (Judicial) to produce the reports in the chambers before the next date of hearing in August-end.

Submitted 2-3 years ago

Taking up the matter through videoconferencing, the special Bench observed that it had been recently constituted, while the various inquiry reports were submitted two to three years back and were required to be perused.

The directions came during the hearing on an application filed by advocate Navkiran Singh for advancing the date of hearing in the case. Taking up the matter through videoconferencing, the special Bench observed that it had been recently constituted, while the various inquiry reports were submitted two to three years back and were required to be perused.

Appearing on the behalf of Lawyers for Human Rights International, counsel Navkiran Singh had earlier prayed that the Bench “may open” a report lying in a sealed cover in the case. He had contended the matter related to drug mafia operating in Punjab and was having international tentacles. It was required to be dealt with on an urgent basis as it affected the lives of Punjabi youth.

“The sealed reports, which have been filed by Niranjan Singh, (the then) Deputy Director, Enforcement Directorate, and the Special Task Force, as well as the state, need to be opened and considered by this court,” Navkiran submitted. The application also referred to “allegations against the present MLA, Bikramjit Singh Majithia”.