Sympathy Shown To Drug Peddlers In Granting Bail May Prove Counter Productive, Resulting In Increased Trafficking: Punjab & Haryana High Court
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that showing sympathy towards alleged drug peddlers at the time of granting bail often proves counterproductive as they indulge in further trafficking, one enlarged. Holding thus, a Single Bench of Justice HS Madaan recently denied bail to an accused under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, found in conscious possession...
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that showing sympathy towards alleged drug peddlers at the time of granting bail often proves counterproductive as they indulge in further trafficking, one enlarged.
Holding thus, a Single Bench of Justice HS Madaan recently denied bail to an accused under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, found in conscious possession of contraband in the form of 2300 intoxicant tablets, without any permit or licence or medical prescription.
"The drug peddlers have successfully destroyed the social fabric of our society and led youth to the wrongful path. Such type of persons need to be dealt with firmly and sternly and no sympathy can be shown to them lest that should prove to be counter productive and result in increased drug trafficking," the Bench said.
It further observed that there has been an alarming rise in cases of drug trafficking, which has ultimately ruined the lives of young men and women. "Drug peddlers for a small monetary consideration make the youth to use drugs for a small time excitement/kick," the Bench remarked.
Under these circumstances, the bail plea was dismissed.
The Court observed, "In the present case, I do not see any reason to record satisfaction that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the petitioner is not guilty of such offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail."
It further observed that the apprehension expressed by the State counsel that if petitioner is granted bail, there is every likelihood to his absconding and even tampering with the prosecution evidence cannot be brushed aside lightly.
Recently, the Madhya Pradesh High Court also dismissed several bail applications citing increase in drug menace in the state and its adverse effect on younger generations. It relied on the case of Gurudev Singh v. State of Punjab where the Supreme Court observed that persons dealing in narcotic drugs were dubbed as "hazard" to the society.
"In a murder case, the accused commits murder of one or two persons, while those persons who are dealing in narcotic drugs are instruments in causing death or in inflicting death blow to number of innocent young victims who are vulnerable; it cause deleterious effects and deadly impact on the society; they are hazard to the society," the Top Court had said.
Case Title: Jasbir Singh v. State Of Punjab
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