Drugs posing a big social problem: HC
CHANDIGARH : The high court has denied bail to a Faridabad resident facing 32 criminal cases, and also accused of using teenagers to carry and sell drugs.
“Such an act and conduct of the petitioner needs to be taken with all the seriousness since drugs are posing a big social problem affecting the health and lives of the youth, who are tempted to take to drugs for small excitement and kick. The drug abuse has assumed an alarming proportion. Unless the persons indulging in drug trafficking are dealt with firmly and strictly, the problem is bound to increase,” the bench of justice HS Madaan said, dismissing the bail plea of the accused.
The petitioner, Annu alias Anil, 45, had approached the court in July seeking anticipatory bail. He had argued that the recovery in the said case was quite small and he had no connection with drug peddling. One of the boys from whom the recovery was effected, in his affidavit had not named him (Anil) but some another person, the petitioner had said. The court observed that the affidavit is of little value, rather it shows that the accused is trying to tamper with the prosecution evidence and not joining the investigation.
The police had informed the court that the accused is involved in as many as 32 criminal cases, most registered under the Punjab Excise Act, 1914. He has earned acquittal in a few cases and some are pending, the police said, adding that he is reflected to be involved in cases under the Gambling Act also, besides one case he faces under the Arms Act.
“...the petitioner comes out to be a habitual offender and a hardened criminal. The anticipatory bail is not meant to be granted to such type of persons,” the bench said, adding that his custodial interrogation is required for complete and effective investigation to find out from where he had been procuring the contraband, to which persons he had been supplying the same and which young boys he had employed for the purpose of sale of drugs and what amount he had been paying to them, etc.