Last Updated: 03 Aug 2024

Issue: Delayed trial court cases and non-appearance of even official witnesses in NDPS(Drugs) cases

Punjab: 16,149 NDPS cases are still under trial even 2 years after framing of charges as of 23 October 2023^[1]

Conviction rate have Jumped to Impressive 81% in 2023 from 59% in 2018 in NDPS Act^[2]

*_{NDPS = Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act}

¶ Reforms^[1:1]

• A cop appearing as witness can seek only 1 adjournment
  -- DSPs of the respective areas would have to ensure that witnesses appear before courts
  -- The criminal cases can be registered against those not wilfully appearing as witnesses
• Any police officer facing disciplinary proceedings about drugs cases would not be appointed
  -- neither as probe officer in drugs cases
  -- nor SHO(station house officer)
• A state-level monitoring committee formed under the officer not below the rank of the ADGP to monitor trials & other aspects
  -- The committee would meet monthly
• Any cop found harbouring/assisting drug accused persons would be dismissed & similar punishment for those officers who shelter them

References:

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1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/nonappearance-of-cops-in-drug-trials-charges-framed-but-over-16-000-ndps-cases-pending-for-more-than-two-years-in-punjab-101698865825601.html ↩︎ ↩︎

2. https://www.babushahi.com/full-news.php?id=186225 ↩︎