1873 NDPS Cases Lodged Between 2018 & March, 2023; 20 Juveniles Were Involved In 18 Cases: Ahmedabad City Police To Gujarat High Court

In response to the suo motu PIL registered by Gujarat High Court on the basis of a news report regarding alleged use of minors to traffic/push drugs in Ahmedabad, the gtate government on Thursday informed the Court that an FIR has been registered against two accused persons including the lady named in the report.

It was further informed that around 1873 cases have been lodged under the provisions of the NDPS Act during 2018 to March 2023, out of which, 20 juveniles were involved in 18 cases.

The Court vide order dated March 13, 2023 asked the State Authorities following questions:

1. Whether there is any truth in the newspaper report, more particularly, as regards young children being used as 'delivery agents' to deliver drugs across the city.
2. If the report is correct or even partly correct, then what action has been taken/proposed to be taken by the State to rescue minor children from doing this dangerous business?
3. Whether the State has any policy for rehabilitating such minors or how does the State intend to rehabilitate minors, who have been allegedly involved in the above-referred dangerous business?

The State authorities on Thursday filed two affidavits before the Court.

In the affidavit filed by the DCP, Special Operation Group (SOG), Ahmedabad, it was stated that the Authority had traced out certain minors whose photographs were published in the newspaper. It was further stated that a FIR was registered against two accused persons who were released on bail by the trial court.

“The authority is more vigilant on certain points in the Society where they have doubts about manufacturing / circulation of the drugs. Various programs to sensitize the public at large about the health hazards have been undertaken by the authorities,” the affidavit read.

The second affidavit filed on behalf of the Deputy Director, Director Social Defence, Gandhinagar apprised the court about the steps taken by the authority for rehabilitation of such minors.

The court directed the respondents to file further affidavit before the next date of hearing, June 23.

Case Title: Suo Motu v. The State of Gujarat

Coram: The Acting Chief Justice A. J. Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav

Click Here to Read/Download Order