High Court Summons Punjab Internal Security Chief Amid Allegations Of IO Shielding Jail Officials Who 'Helped' Drug Smugglers In Prison

Observing that "apparently every attempt has been made by the Investigating Officer (IO) to shield the guilty jail officials", the Punjab & Haryana High Court today summoned Punjab's Special DG, Internal Security, in a case about alleged drug racketing from jails.

The Court observed that the investigating officer (IO) in the case appeared to be attempting to protect the prison officials accused of aiding drug smugglers within jail premises. The court noted that during the investigation, no inquiries were directed towards the accused inmates regarding the officials' alleged involvement.

While expressing dissatisfaction with the investigation on the matter, Justice N.S. Shekhawat said, "It is apparent that no questions were put to these three accused with regard to the involvement of the jail officials and apparently every attempt has been made by the Investigating Officer to shield the guilty jail officials. In the last 09 months, no efforts have been made by the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Fazilka, to even ascertain the names of the jail officials, who were involved in the present case."

The Court further stated that the Investigating Officer (IO) left the court in the middle of today's hearing, as a result of which no conclusion could be reached in the present proceeding.

"Even during the course of hearing before this Court today, the Investigating Officer of the case left the Court and the official, who is present in the Court is unable to assist the Court properly. This further aggravates the problem as the Court has not been able to arrive at any conclusion in the present case. Apparently, every attempt is being made to help the jail officials, who had provided the shelter to drug smugglers in jail and whose involvement is writ large in the present case," the Court added.

Case In Brief

An FIR was lodged against three inmates of Punjab's Central Jail, Ferozepur based on secret information under the NDPS Act. It was informed that Raj Kumar, Sonu Tiddi and Amrik Singh, who were lodged in the jail in different cases, registered under the NDPS Act, had formed a gang inside the jail and were running a drug racket from the jail premises.

It was found that there was the connivance of the jail officials in running the drug racket. Furthermore, the informant had also stated that in case if the three accused joined in the investigation and were interrogated, a huge drug racket running in a jail premises could be busted and the involvement of jail officials in this racket could also be unearthed, noted the Court.

The State counsel submitted before the Court that till today, no jail official has been arrayed as accused, even though the drug racket was being run from the jail premises itself.

In the previous order, the Court directed the ADGP Jails, to depute an officer at least IG rank and to hold the inquiry immediately and to take appropriate disciplinary action against all the jail officials, who are found guilty in the present case.

In the present proceeding, the bench noted that as per the affidavit submitted by ADGP, Prisons the inmates who are accused of running a drug racket from Punjab's Ferozepur jail were provided mobile phones by their co-accused.

It added that "surprisingly, the SSOC, Fazilka, is conducting the investigation for the last 09 months and the investigation is not making any headway. It is apparent not only the jail officials, but the officials of the SSOC, Fazilka, have also colluded with the accused, who are named in the present case."

In light of the above, the Court stated, "the Special DG, Internal Security, Punjab, shall remain present in the Court on the next date of hearing, i.e., on 22.12.2023."

Case Title: Geetanjali v. State of Punjab

Appearance: Prabhjot Singh, Advocate for the petitioner.

Click here to read/download the order