Prisoner Allegedly Called Aide In Pakistan For Drugs But Punjab Govt Remains Inert, Appalling: High Court Seeks Home Secretary's Affidavit

The Punjab & Haryana High Court today pulled up the Punjab Government for its lackadaisical approach of not filling a response in a case where a prison inmate was allegedly able to call his associate in Pakistan, for procuring drugs and narcotics.

Justice Pankaj Jain said it is "appalled to notice that despite a serious issue being raised, the Government of Punjab has remained inert and even the affidavit could not be filed."

The Court had previously asked the State to file an affidavit indicating what action has been taken against the Jail Authorities. It had also sought an affidavit of the Home Secretary with respect to the steps being taken to make sure that such incidents don't happen within the jail premises. However, the affidavits were not placed on record.

High Court said it is "shocking" that a person in custody has been allegedly able to contact his contacts in Pakistan. Before commenting further, another opportunity is being granted to the Home Secretary, Government of Punjab to comply with the order, it added.

The Court was hearing a regular bail plea under the NDPS Act when it came to light that the accused had arranged five packets of 1 kg heroin from his contacts based in Pakistan by contacting them on WhatsApp.

The Special Court while rejecting his bail had observed, "this huge quantity of heroin was arranged by the applicant/accused from his contacts based in Pakistan by contacting them on WhatsApp from some international number while sitting in the jail."

"Applicant also is previous convict and now again is found involved in dealing with narcotics which reflect that the applicant/accused is habitual in dealing with narcotics and is in no mood to mend his ways," Special Court had further said.

Today, a short reply was filed by the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police. The matter is now listed on January 12.

It is worthwhile to mention that yesterday, the Court orally asked the Punjab Prison authority to come up with the shortest possible timeline for installation of security equipments in prisons, to prevent unauthorised use of mobile phones by inmates.

Appearance: Atul Lakhanpal, Senior Advocate with Caral, Advocate for the petitioner.

J.S.Arora, DAG, Punjab