M A I N   N E W S

Panel suggests death sentence for spurious drugs
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 12
Death penalty for those who cause "grievous bodily harm or loss of life" and that offences related to spurious drugs should be made cognisable are recommendations made by the Mashelkar Committee which submitted its interim report here today.

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act (DCA) should be amended and the maximum penalty for the sale and manufacture of spurious drugs, causing grievous hurt or death, should be enhanced from life imprisonment to death, the committee said in its report, presented to Health Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The committee also proposes a structure called Central Drug Administration (CDA) which could be established by elevating the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO).

The report said a specific provision in the DCA would allow persons indulging in spurious drug offences to be detained for a minimum period.

There is a need to make a distinct provision in the DCA itself declaring all offences related to spurious drugs as cognisable and non-bailable, the report said.

It is necessary to involve the police authorities in addition to drug inspectors and authorise them to file prosecutions for spurious drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, it said.