NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE CASES
The Narcotic Drugs and Pshychotropic Substances Act was formulated by the Legislature in the year 1985 and is an essential legislation which seeks to consolidate and amend the law relating to narcotic drugs and particularly to make stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the territory of India.
Recently, the Judiciary has passed verdicts pertaining to the NDPS Act which further aid in streamlining the related law.
NDPS Act: To Search Accused before Gazetted Officer/ Magistrate is Mandatory Requirement
a) This year total number of 312 cases were registered against the drug peddlers. In all these cases, 482 persons were arrested by police. Out of these, 312 cases, charge sheet was presented in 221 cases before the Honble courts against the accused person that makes disposal rate of 71%. Pertinent to mention 91 cases are still being investigated and the charge sheet against the accused will be presented before the courts at an earliest. It is in place to mention here that in NDPS cases SITs have been constituted at district headquarter levels for transparent and speedy disposal in investigation of cases
b) It is emphasized the maximum number of NDPS cases were registered in district Srinagar, i.e., 52. In these cases, 82 persons were arrested, whereas in 36 cases were charge sheet has been presented before the Honble Courts and 16 cases are under investigation and the prosecution in such cases also shall be initiated at an earliest.
c) The second highest NDPS cases were registered in district Kulgam, i.e., 50. In these cases, 86 persons were arrested. Out of these 86 cases, charge sheet has been presented in 39 cases, whereas the investigation is under progress in 11 cases and the prosecution in such cases also shall be initiated at an earliest.
d) The third highest NDPS cases were registered in district Baramulla, i.e., 40. In these cases, 60 persons were arrested. Out of these 40 cases, charge sheet has been presented in 36 cases, whereas only 04 cases are under investigation and the prosecution in the remaining 04 cases shall also be initiated at an earliest.
e) The least number of NDPS cases were reported from Kargil where a lone case has been registered this year in which two persons have been arrested. District Leh has only 03 NDPS cases registered for year 2018 and three persons have been arrested in these cases.
Now further providing the data analysis of crime viz range wise of NDPS cases and efforts made by police for its disposal following figures emerge:-
a) The cumulative total of NDPS cases registered this year in Central Kashmir Range is 81, in which a total of 141accused persons have been arrested. Out of 81 cases registered in CKR, 57 cases have been charge sheeted making a disposal rate of 70%.
b) Similarly, the cumulative total of NDPS cases registered in North Kashmir Range is 108, in which a total of 161 accused persons have been arrested. Out of 108 cases registered by NKR, 92 have been charge sheeted thereby making a disposal rate of 85%.
c) Likewise, the cumulative total of NDPS cases registered in South Kashmir Range is 123, in which a total of 180 accused persons have been arrested. Out of 123 cases registered 72 have been charge sheeted thereby making disposal rate of 58.53.
d) The maximum number of cases has been registered in South Kashmir Range and constitutes about 58% of the total number of cases registered. NKR constitutes about 35% of the total cases registered whereas CKR constitutes about 25% of the total cases.
Noteworthy to point out that police in these 312 NDPS cases registered in this year has seized huge quantities of several contraband substances which were illegally traded and transported through the state, the details are provided as:-
Name of Drug Total Quantity
Poppy Straw 1734.7 Kgs
Fukki 850.61 Kgs
Brown Sugar 6.88 Kgs
Charas 73.27 Kgs
Heroine 1.30 Kgs
Ganja 5 Kgs
Bhung Putri 172 Kgs
Opium Straw 8 Kgs
Poppy Straw Powder 49 Kgs
Bhung Powder 8.62 Kgs
Charas Powder 1.94 Kgs
Besides, many other pharmaceutical substance which are abused including several hundred syrup bottles and capsules were seized by the police during last one year from drug peddlers. It is emphasized here that police also conducted several workshops at range and zonal level for the police officials in order to raise awareness and carry effective investigation of NDPS Cases. Besides police public meet have been organized at police station levels to educate the general public, also several awareness workshops and counselling sessions were conducted by police and several other events were sponsored and actively coordinated in order to raise awareness so that menace of drug addiction is eradicated from the society