266 Deaths Reported By Overdose Of Drug Consumption In 3 Years: Punjab Police To High Court

The Punjab government has submitted before the Punjab & Haryana High Court that 266 deaths have been reported in the state from April 2020 to March 2023 due to the overdose of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu said the data also indicates that death rate is increasing and as such, the "situation is very precarious."

In compliance with the Court's previous order, L.K. Yadav, IPS, Director of the Bureau of Investigation, submitted in an affidavit stating that the highest number of deaths were reported in the district of Bathinda, where '38 people died,' followed by Tam Tam, rural Amritsar, and Moga.

The Court directed that a copy of the order, along with the affidavit, be brought to the notice of the State's Chief Secretary for taking further necessary actions.

These observations were made while hearing anticipatory bail plea of one Nidhi, who is accused in FIR pertaining to death caused by overdose of drugs in Jalandhar.

Court granted her interim anticipatory bail but directed her to join investigation.

Appearance: Satnam Singh  for petitioner 

Amish Sharma, AAG Punjab.

Case Title: Nidhi v. State of Punjab

Click here to read/download the order.