Punjab HC Orders Crackdown on Drug Smuggling in Jails

Pratiksha Ghosh 

Chandigarh May 20 2025:The Punjab and Haryana High Court has intensified scrutiny of drug smuggling operations allegedly being run from within the state's prisons. It directed top police officials to form dedicated panels to review all cases under the NDPS Act involving jail-based trafficking.

In compliance, the Director-General of Police constituted committees at the range and commissionerate levels to investigate such cases, with Additional Director-General of Police Nilabh Kishore overseeing the process.

The move follows the court’s strong criticism of the Amritsar (Rural) SSP for a "casual" probe into alleged smuggling from Amritsar Central Jail. The court highlighted the likelihood of collusion between jail staff and local police.

The court has accepted the SSP's apology for not complying with an earlier order and directed him to personally continue overseeing the investigation. The matter has been adjourned to July 28 for a status update.