3.9 lakh cases pending, Centre tells states to set up special courts for drug crimes, Pg3

Key Highlights:

• Approximately 3.96 lakh cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act are pending across India.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states and Union Territories to establish exclusive courts for narcotics-related cases.
• It was found that 22 states are yet to set up special NDPS courts, despite high pendency in states like Punjab (60,000 cases) and Kerala (50,000 cases).
• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) reported only 65 special courts are currently functioning nationwide to exclusively handle NDPS Act matters.
• The Supreme Court has expressed concern regarding delays in narcotics case trials, prompting the push for additional courts.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted India's geographical vulnerability between the "Death Triangle" and "Death Crescent" in the fight against drug trafficking.

Detailed Insights:

• The MHA has held multiple meetings with state chief secretaries and home secretaries to address the heavy pendency of NDPS cases.
• Specific states like Punjab, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh were identified for their high case backlogs and lack of sufficient special courts.
• Odisha plans to establish eight special courts this year and seven more during 2027-28 to manage its 17,000 pending cases.
• The Union government's strategy includes setting up special NDPS courts and promoting speedy trials to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse.
• Pre-trial conferences, similar to those in constitutional cases before the Supreme Court, were suggested to fix timelines and expedite proceedings.
• Narco cases and arrests significantly increased from 2004-2014 (1.73 lakh cases, 1.95 lakh arrests) to 2014-2026 (8.75 lakh cases, 10.97 lakh arrests).
• Organized drug crimes often involve multiple accused, witnesses, and counsel, leading to lengthy examinations and cross-examinations, necessitating additional courts.
• The issue of drug trafficking is linked to organized crime, narco-terror financing, and funding of cross-border terrorist networks, posing a threat to internal security.
• The Narco-Coordination Centre held its 10th apex-level meeting in June, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive victory over this menace.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985: Indian law prohibiting the production, possession, sale, purchase, transport, storage, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
• Special Courts: Dedicated judicial bodies established to handle specific types of cases, like those under the NDPS Act, to ensure faster trials and reduce pendency.
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): The nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency of India, responsible for combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
• Death Triangle: Refers to the region where the borders of Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar meet, historically a major opium-producing area.
• Death Crescent: Refers to the region comprising Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, known for significant illicit opium production and trafficking.