Supreme Court Criticises Punjab Government Over Failure to Curb Drug Menace

The Supreme Court on Friday criticised the Punjab government and authorities for their failure to bring the drug problem under control, saying the human toll is alarming. Chief Justice Surya Kant, heading a Bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, stated that drug abuse and trafficking continue unabated, with only small peddlers being caught while the big fish behind the racket remain untouched.

The court highlighted a recent incident involving a mother who lost all five of her sons to drug addiction, with the Chief Justice saying that the police need to be sensitised to the issue. The court warned that if the situation continues to deteriorate, the Centre may have to intervene to resolve the menace in the state.

The Bench emphasised the need for central and state agencies to work together to find a solution, suggesting that exclusive courts may be needed to address the huge pendency in cases charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The court's criticism comes as the drug problem in Punjab continues to worsen, with the Chief Justice calling for the arrest of the bigger sharks and influential individuals behind the racket. The immediate next steps will involve the Centre and state agencies working together to find a solution, with the court likely to resume hearing on the matter in the coming days.