Amarinder orders overhauling of prosecution in NDPS cases

A day after the Punjab and Haryana High court expressed concern over the lackadaisical manner of prosecution of drug-related cases in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered an overhaul of the system.

Taking a serious note of the high court's concerns, Singh asked the state Advocate General Atul Nanda to "pursue the matter in right earnestness" and examine the prevailing loopholes in prosecution of the criminal cases, specially the drug-related ones, said an official press release.

With Punjab reeling under the drug menace, the issue of narcotics smuggling ranks high on the priority list on Punjab CM.

Only a day before the high court expressed its concern over the manner of prosecution of the NDPS cases right in his presence in the courtroom, Singh had decided to approach the centre to seek changes in the law to provide for death penalty to drug peddlers.

Acting swiftly on the Chief Minister's instruction, Punjab AG Nanda today wrote to the Prosecution and Litigation Department director and called for a report from various districts to ascertain the factual position and practices in prosecution of drug-related offences.

Describing high court's concerns as an issue of "grave concern", the AG also sought the comments and suggestions of Director Vijay Singla "so that the matter may be taken forward at the earliest, preferably within two weeks."