Drugs in jails: HC notice to Kaushik,Kant

Claiming that jails in Punjab have become safe haven for narcotic traders and consumers,Singh added the joint action plan will help in putting an end to this problem.

“Some narcotic traders are lodged in jails. Though they have obtained bails from respective courts,they are not filling their bails bonds because the narcotic trade is more profitable inside the jail premises. Moreover,it also safe since the jail staff is easily pliable. It is also a matter of common knowledge that alcohol,opium and sophisticated drugs like cocaine and heroin are easily available in jails,” said Singh.

The petition further reads that till a few years ago,prisoners were addicted to injections and capsules that were available in the jail pharmacies. Record can show that there was such sedatives used by prisoners to get rid of “depression and anxiety”,it added.

The petitioner has also referred to a recent “controversy” between DGP (Prisons) and state DGP Anil Kaushik over the issue of drugs being easily available in jails. The petitioner,while submitting that incumbent DGP (Prisons) Shashi Kant has faced many impediments while trying to launch his campaign to make jails drug free,has submitted that according to Kant,he has been facing threats from the drug mafia.

Moreover,only recently,his security cover was withdrawn,which shows that the office of the state DGP was not too happy with his campaign.

Some of the suggestions given by Singh included opening up of Red Cross shops in jails and involving district and sessions judges in controlling the menace.