Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: CJM Jammu Amarjeet Singh Langeh has directed Police Station RS Pura to register FIR under relevant provisions of NDPS Act so that investigation can begin and culprits/offenders in the occurrence can be brought to book in consonance with law.
“It is the patrolling party of Police Station R.S Pura who rounded up accused on 18.10.2016 and recovered 60 capsule of CLAVIDOL-50 and 50 tablets of ALPAZ-0.5 on their personal search. Subsequently, the two accused were also taken to Police Station for further questioning and at the same time a request was made to Deputy Drug Controller for further necessary action at his end by the then SHO Police Station R.S Pura”, the court observed.
“It is astonishing as also un-fathomable as to how SHO Police Station R S Pura did not proceed ahead under the NDPS Act by registration of formal FIR in the case once drug was initially recovered by him from accused. There is no denying the fact that drug peddling and its abuse amongst youth is on alarming rise in Jammu and SHO concerned ought to have proceeded ahead in a manner that not only conformed with his duty but also the provisions of NDPS Act”, the court said.
“SHO Police Station R.S Pura owes an explanation in this regard as to why he did not proceed ahead in the matter in accordance with law and in terms of provisions of NDPS Act”, the court said and directed that copy of this order shall go to SDPO R S Pura who shall ensure that then SHO Police Station R.S Pura who was posted there on 18.10.2016 tenders an explanation to this court through him so that appropriate orders in the matter can be passed thereon.
“In the meantime, SDPO R.S Pura would be at liberty to proceed in the matter after giving thoughtful consideration to the facts of the case in hand as have been brought to the notice of the court”, the CJM said, adding wittingly or un-wittingly – police concerned has indeed provided a seemingly safe passage to culprits by not only stalling the operation of stringent law but also by hushing up the matter and invoking relatively less harsher law (Drugs & Cosmetics Act)”.
“Additionally, implicit in this abdication are the consequences having serious repercussions on public safety in face of alarming and horrible rise in drug peddling and drug abuse amongst youth in particular. This is to say the least”, the court said.
With these observations, court directed SHO Police Station to register FIR under NDPS Act. Further, court directed Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu for ensuring that FIR is caused to be registered in the concerned Police Station and investigation thereof is entrusted to an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.