Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court took serious note of procedural lapses in sampling narcotic substances seized by the police, which have led to bail grants for drug trafficking accused and lower conviction rates in NDPS cases. On Wednesday, in compliance with a prior order, Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta, ATS SP Rishabh Jha, and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director appeared before the court.
During the hearing, the court directed the DGP to collaborate with the Narcotics Control Bureau and the state government to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure proper sampling of seized narcotics. This move aims to increase conviction rates and ensure stricter punishment for offenders involved in the illegal drug trade.
Improper Sampling Led to Bail Grants
The court learned that improper sampling of narcotics in several cases allowed accused individuals to secure bail. One such incident from the Baharagora police station area of East Singhbhum district in 2020 involved a Scorpio vehicle carrying a large quantity of marijuana. Due to incorrect sampling methods, the accused were granted bail. The High Court took a serious view of the matter, summoning the DGP to provide accountability.
The DGP assured the court that all directions issued by the judiciary would be adhered to. Following this assurance, the court scheduled the next hearing for January 20, 2024.
Next Steps
The High Court emphasized that a robust SOP would help curb procedural shortcomings and improve the conviction rate in drug trafficking cases. The directive to collaborate with the Narcotics Control Bureau reflects the court’s intent to strengthen enforcement mechanisms against the illegal drug trade.
