Multi-Crore 'Jail Drug Racket' | '43K Calls Made From Prison': High Court Mulls CBI Probe, Slams Punjab Spl Operation Cell Officials, IO

The Punjab & Haryana High Court came down heavily on the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) officials and the Investigating Officer (IO) for their inaction in not investigating the role of jail officials in the alleged multi-crore drug racket operating from the Ferozpur Central Jail.

Justice N.S. Shekhawat while questioning the SSOC head, Special DGP, IPS R.N Dhoke asked "Can there any crime more serious than this, this Court has reason to believe that the multi-crore drug racket is running from prison...I will send the matter to CBI and ED to investigate...you are party to it. 43,000 calls are being made from jail (in 4 years) not even one jail official is arrayed in FIR."

While raising concern over the negligent approach of SSOC, the bench also observed that the meetings conducted by the Special Cells, which are attended by the AIGs, are only confined to "tea and samosa."

The Court further questioned the IO investigating the matter, "Have you investigated to whom these calls were made by the accused from the prison? Who were these people to whom calls were made? Were they accused?" To which he responded that "some" were accused. Justice Shekhawat said, "The answer has to be specific, not general. You are not called by a panchayat but by the High Court."

Highlighting the lackadaisical approach of the IO, the Court pointed out that "he ran away from the proceeding yesterday."

I have been informed that 800+ incidents of drug trade have been reported, and only 1 jail official was dismissed. You are purchasing jammers and wasting the government's money. In any case, it cannot be possible without the active connivance of jail officials," the Court added addressing the officials.

Background 

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.

In the previous proceeding, observing that "apparently every attempt has been made by the IO to shield the guilty jail officials", the High Court summoned Punjab's Special DG, Internal Security. 

Case Title: Geetanjali v. State of Punjab

A detailed order is awaited. This story will be updated