Chandigarh: In a major administrative initiative to curb drug trafficking and speed up trials, the Punjab Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann approved the establishment of 35 Exclusive Special NDPS Courts across the state. The decision aims to address judicial delays in drug-related cases, where average disposal times currently reach approximately eight years.
Official statistics reveal that around 20,000 NDPS cases are registered and 27,000 arrests made annually in Punjab, leading to a accumulation of 52,577 pending cases as of August 31, 2026. Following recommendations from the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, the newly sanctioned courts are expected to clear the case backlog over the next five to seven years.
To operationalize the courts, the Cabinet sanctioned 385 official positions—including 35 Additional District and Sessions Judges, 35 Assistant District Attorneys, and 315 support personnel—alongside an allocation of approximately ₹75 crore for operational and infrastructural expenses. Existing designated courts will maintain operations until the specialized units become fully functional.
