Drugs Menace- Unless Harsh Steps Are Taken, There Is No Ray Of Hope That This Dark Period Would Be Over: P&H HC

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has raised serious concerns over the menace of drugs in Punjab. The Court observed that daily one youth after the other is succumbing to drugs. It added that unless harsh steps are taken, there is no ray of hope for Society.

“The menace of drugs in Punjab is eating the basic social structure of the society. It is adversely effecting the economy of the State. Despite harsh laws, the State is not able to check the flow of drugs to this part of the Country. Daily one youth after the other is succumbing to drugs. Unless harsh steps are taken, there is no ray of hope to the Society that this dark period would be over." Justice Gurbir Singh observed.

The Court made this observation while dismissing the bail plea of an accused from whom allegedly 10 kgs. Opium was recovered.He was booked under Section 18/29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner-accused was kidnapped by the police officials from a hotel and that the present case has been planted upon him.

Advocate Navkiran Singh appeared for the petitioner-accused whereas Additional AG Gaurav Garg Dhuriwala appeared for the State.

The Court noted that as per the staff members of the Hotel, the petitioner was not kidnapped from the premises of their Hotel. The Court also noted that there was nothing in the CCTV that showed that the petitioner was kidnapped from there.

The Court observed that at this stage it cannot be said that the petitioner is not guilty, for keeping in his possession 10 kg Opium.

“The purpose of trial is to separate the chaff from the grain and to bring truth on record. It can only be done after recording evidence of the parties and giving opportunity to respective parties to cross-examine the witnesses of other party.”, the Court added.

Thus the Court held that the innocence of the petitioner can only be established during trial.

Accordingly, the Court dismissed the bail plea.

Cause Title- Harnoor Singh v. State of Punjab

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