The Punjab government submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that 266 deaths have been reported in the state from April 2020 to March 2023 which being due to the overdose of narcotic drugs and the psychotropic substances.
The bench of Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu stated that the data also includes that the death rate is increasing and as such, thus, the situation is very precarious. The court in its previous order, L.K. Yadav, IPS, Director of the Bureau of Investigation, submitted in an affidavit wherein it is stated that the highest number of deaths were reported in the district of Bathinda, where 38 people have been died and is followed by Tam Tam, rural Amritsar, and Moga. The court in the case observed and has directed that the copy of the order, along with the affidavit, be brought to the notice of the State’s Chief Secretary in order to take further necessary actions in the matter.
The court in the case observed while hearing anticipatory bail plea moved by one Nidhi, who is being accused in FIR which pertains to death caused by overdose of drugs in Jalandhar. Accordingly, the court directed her to join the investigation and has granted her the interim anticipatory bail.The counsel, Satnam Singh appeared for the petitioner.
The counsel, Amish Sharma, AAG represented Punjab.