Drug Menace: Rajasthan High Court Issues Notice To NCB, Social Justice Dept In Suo Moto Case

The Rajasthan High Court has issued notice to the Central Bureau of Narcotics, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Controller (Drugs and Cosmetics Act) and Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the State in its suo moto case registered last year on the issue of illegal drug trade flourishing in the State.

A division bench comprising of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Vijay Bishnoi also appointed Advocate Harshad Bhadu as amicus curiae in the matter while posting it for further hearing on July 30.

During the course of hearing, the State Government filed an affidavit, elaborating upon the steps taken so far to curb illicit trade of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) in the State and also about the proposed steps to tackle the menace.

"Looking to the huge recoveries of prohibited narcotic and psychotropic drugs in medicinal form which have been effected, as per these news reports, apparently, the dealers of these illicit drugs are indulging in nefarious activities which affect the labourers, the students and the young children all alike without any distinction," the Court said while taking suo moto cognizance of a newspaper report published in Dainik Bhaskar last year.

It had thereby called upon the State Government to show cause as to what measures have been taken by it for curbing the menace. The State was also directed to illicit trade of narcotic substances in the name of medicinal drugs and other forms.

Recently, several High Courts have expressed concern over rise in cases of drug menace. "The lives of the citizens are being destroyed due to the selling of these banned substance. There is an alarming spike in the number of people buying and selling these contraband in the country, which needs to be controlled in an effective manner so as to minimise the said offence, if not to eradicate," the Punjab High Court had recently observed.

Also Read: 'Adverse Effect On Young Generation Now-A-Days': Madhya Pradesh High Court Dismisses Drug Peddlers' Bail Pleas

Case Title: Suo-Moto v. State of Rajasthan

Click Here To Read Order