Delhi High Court Issues Notice On Plea Against 'Irregularities' Between NCRB And MHA Data On Heroin Seizure

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on the plea against the “irregularities” between the figures reported by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and the data provided by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the seizure of heroin during the years 2018 and 2020.

Justice Subramonium Prasad issued notice on the plea moved by B.R. Aravindakshan, a journalist by profession.

The court sought a response from the Union Government through the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance as well as NCRB. The matter will now be heard on September 09.

The plea states that the NCRB report shows that there was a seizure of 22,263.1 kg of heroin in India in 2018 and 55,804.540 kg in 2020.

It adds that the data provided by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, by a way of replies to unstarred questions in the parliament, states that only 19,691.155 kg of heroin was seized in 2018. It is the journalist's case that the aforesaid reflects a discrepancy of 2,571.945 kg.

“…. at the same time stated that 50,000.387 kg of heroin in Sikkim and 3,200.172 kg in Manipur were seized. The concern authorities denied these quantities being seized by their agencies. Sikkim State Police confirmed a negligible seizure, conflicting with the MHA's claim. The Petitioner's Cause of Action contends from the very fact of Unaccounted seizure of Heroine which prospectively had led to the discrepancy as established above,” the plea reads.

It adds that in 2018, Sikkim was reported to have seized 15,000 kg of heroin, but no agency claimed responsibility for the same.

As per the plea, around 70,772.544 kg of heroin disappeared from seizure records between 2018 and 2020 and the estimated worth of the missing heroin is around Rs. 5 lakh crores.

“On the verge of attaining and accomplishing “Drug-Free India”, the statistical first-hand data is the sole driving factor that provokes the efficient working of the campaign against Drug. Considering the Paramount importance being placed on the reports published by the NCRB and the communications with the Political Representatives, it is crucial that these Numbers are not just numbers but facts build up with authenticity and accountability,” the petition submits.

The plea seeks a direction on the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to consider the complaint or representation made by the petitioner in September 2022.

It further seeks a direction on MHA to provide the records pertaining to the mode of seizure and disposal of the seized drugs in India for the years 2018 to 2022.

Furthermore, the plea seeks direction on MHA to take necessary steps or investigation within a stipulated time period.

The plea also seeks to constitute a State Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the “missing heroin seizure.”

Title: B.R. Aravindakshan v. Union of India