Punjab and Haryana HC Seeks Status Report on Suspected Drug Traffickers Listed by BSF

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought a status report from the governments of Punjab and Haryana regarding the actions taken following the submission of a list of 75 individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking by the Border Security Force (BSF) to the Punjab Police.

The Court took cognizance of a news article in an English newspaper that reported the BSF providing a list of 75 suspected individuals engaged in drug trafficking to the Punjab Police. Furthermore, the High Court has included the Punjab and Haryana governments and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) as parties in this case, issuing notices and instructing them to submit their responses.

According to BSF data, approximately 755 kg of narcotics have been seized in the year 2023, with 95 drones originating from Pakistan being intercepted. Additionally, 36 Pakistani nationals have been apprehended, leading to the recovery of 15 rifles and 38 pistols. Furthermore, nine individuals attempting to cross the border from Pakistan have been killed.

“The State of Punjab is directed to file a status report regarding the steps taken in pursuance of the report given to it by the BSF. The State of Haryana will also file a status report regarding the steps being taken in the State in the matter,” stated the court order.

“NCB is also directed to file a status report giving details of persons suffering from drug addiction in the States of Punjab and Haryana, and what kind of steps can be taken to make persons, who till date are not in drug addiction, aware of the drug menace, and how they should be prevented from taking drugs, as the narcotic items recovered in the State of Punjab, as reported in the newspaper, are huge,” it added.

Earlier this week, the Special DG of Western Command of the Border Security Force (BSF) announced that they had provided a list of suspected drug traders in the border areas of Punjab to the Punjab Police. The BSF recommended their detention under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.