CHANDIGARH, March 14 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court disposed of a petition after the Punjab Government assured that legal procedures would be followed before taking coercive measures—such as demolishing immovable property—against accused individuals in drug-related cases.
The Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel noted the state’s commitment, stating, “In view of the assurance given by the state counsel, this court does not deem it appropriate to proceed with this matter and disposes of the petition with the hope and expectation that due process of law shall be followed by the state and its functionaries before taking any coercive steps under Chapter 5-A of the NDPS Act against the petitioner.”
The case stemmed from a petition by Raj Kumar, who expressed concerns over potential state action, including the demolition of his property, as he faced trial under the NDPS Act. Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling, he argued that such actions should not be carried out arbitrarily.
Senior Deputy Advocate-General Sartaj Singh Gill, appearing for the state, refuted the petitioner’s fears. “The state and its functionaries shall follow due process of law, as prescribed in Chapter 5-A of the NDPS Act, before any coercive action is taken,” he said.
The court’s decision carries wider implications amid allegations that Punjab is adopting the “bulldozer model” used in other states during crackdowns on drug peddlers.
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