Just about a fortnight after the Punjab and Haryana High Court sought details from the State on measures adopted to prevent offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Bench has warned the State functionaries of “coercive steps” in case of any delay in filing reply in the suo motu case concerning “rampant” narcotics trade in Bathinda district.
The Bench was hearing “court on its own motion” case initiated on the basis of a Tribune report “Heroin openly sold here’: Bathinda villagers paint message for admin”. The warning came as the Bench granted Punjab a final 15-day opportunity to file its response
As the matter came up for resumed hearing, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry asserted: “Last opportunity of 15 days is granted to the State of Punjab to file its reply, failing which coercive steps will be taken against the functionaries of the State.” The matter has now been listed for July 16.
The High Court had earlier directed the Punjab Government to suggest “ways and means” to ensure prevention of offences under the NDPS Act after being informed that as many as 82 FIRs under the statute were registered at Maur police station between January 1 and December 1, 2025.
The Bench, during a previous hearing, had taken note of the status report filed by the Senior Superintendent of Police through an affidavit dated December 16, 2025, disclosing registration of the FIRs and seizure of a “huge quantity of narcotic drugs”.
The Bench had then observed that it was “not known as to whether investigation has been completed pursuant to the said FIRs”. The State was accordingly directed to file an affidavit disclosing the stage of investigation in all the 82 FIRs emanating from Maur police station.
At the same time, the court had asked Punjab to spell out the measures proposed for preventing the commission of offences punishable under the NDPS Act, 1985.
The proceedings stem from the Tribune report highlighting how villagers, frustrated over the alleged open sale of narcotics and the death of a youth from suspected overdose, painted messages on walls identifying purported drug dealers, following which the police allegedly rushed to erase the writings.
While taking cognisance in December last year, the Bench had sought a detailed affidavit from the State specifying the action taken to prevent the sale of contraband in the village, besides outlining immediate steps for effective policing and measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
