971 Accused Still Absconding in Punjab Drug Cases, High Court Expresses Concern
More than six months after the Punjab and Haryana High Court was assured of a special drive to apprehend absconding accused in drug-related cases across Punjab, 971 individuals remain untraced in cases registered before August 31, 2024.
This update was submitted before a Bench led by Justice N.S. Shekhawat. During the resumed hearing, the state counsel informed the court that a total of 1,304 individuals were to be arrested in drug cases registered before May 31, 2024. An additional 542 accused were added between May 31 and August 31, bringing the total to 1,846. Of these, 875 have been arrested so far.
The court was told that all Punjab Police field units and wings had been instructed to make “sincere and earnest efforts” to apprehend the remaining accused who have been evading arrest for over six months since the registration of their FIRs.
Justice Shekhawat noted that the police are not only legally obligated to arrest the accused but must also initiate proceedings to declare them proclaimed offenders (PO) and begin attachment of their properties. However, the court observed that such actions have not been taken by investigating officers or SHOs in 19 police stations within a district, indicating a lack of supervision by senior officials.
Earlier, the court had directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure all Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) closely monitor investigations in these cases and provide detailed reports on those where arrests remain pending for more than six months.
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