Special safes for storing seized contraband being set up in 5

The Tamil Nadu police has informed the Madras High Court that special safes for storing seized contraband are being established in five districts at a cost of Rs 59.78 lakh.

In addition to this, designated rooms has been allotted in each police station with appropriate security to store such contraband, the police said in response to a query raised by Justice R Suresh Kumar on safe custody of seized contraband.

In an affidavit, Assistant IGP Maheshwarn submitted that in view of a Supreme Court directive, such facilities to store seized contraband are being constructed at Chennai (north zone), Trichy (central zone), Madurai (south zone), Coimbatore (west zone), and Theni.

A government order dated January 10, 2017 has been passed allocating Rs 59.78 lakh for the purpose, it was submitted.

The construction work of such safes are being done by the Tamil Nadu Police Department Housing Corporation, he added.

Recording the submissions, the judge reserved orders on an appeal moved by one Danraj challenging an order of a special court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances cases, sentencing him to seven months rigorous imprisonment.

Earlier, the court had directed the DGP to file a report on facilities to store seized contraband.