10 Punjab cops face action as drug peddlers get default bail
The Punjab Police have taken action against 10 officers this year for various lapses in drug-related cases that led to grant of default bail to the accused booked under the NDPS Act. Those officials have been asked to explain their position in the cases that led to the grant of default bail (accused’s right to bail when the police fail to complete an investigation within the specified time frame).
Fifteen drug peddlers booked under the NDPS Act for possessing drugs in commercial quantity managed to get default bail in 12 cases for various lapses on part of the investigating officers this year.
Data procured by The Tribune revealed that from January 1 to August 31, 2024, the state police top brass acted against 10 officers (names withheld) for their failure to turn up in courts as witnesses or for cross-examination.
The state police took action against three officials in Faridkot, two each in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and one in the State Task Force who were found negligent in handling drugs cases. Districts where accused got default bail are Tarn Taran (three); Jalandhar, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and STF (two each); Kapurthala and Moga (one each).
The action against the police officials comes after the state government last year asked departments to act tough against those not appearing in courts in matters related to the NDPS Act.
The Department of Home Affairs and Justice (DHAJ) had directed all public prosecutors to report to the Administrative Secretary concerned if any official did not appear in any court as witness in any NDPS case so that strict disciplinary action can be initiated against him. In a letter dated October 28, 2023, the DHAJ had directed public prosecutors to strongly oppose any request for any adjournment, on whatsoever grounds, sought by any police officer/government official in any case registered under the NDPS or the PTNDPS Acts.
Since last year, a monthly district-level committee monitors the pace of trial in all NDPS cases and checks details of the officials who fail or repeatedly fail to appear as witnesses and submit a report to the government.
