Senior Himachal officer apologises for delay in complying with SC orders on storing contraband

  • | Friday | 22nd June, 2018

Conveyances equipped with vaults and double locking system were to be put in place to prevent theft, pilferage or replacement of seized drugs. “It has been more than two-and-a-half years and in our considered view, no effective steps have been taken till date,” it added.The division bench observed that prima facie, it is of the considered view that the state was in contempt of the orders passed by the Supreme Court. SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh high court has accepted apology tendered by the state’s additional chief secretary (home) for not complying with the directions issued by the high court on construction of storage places under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985.In May, the high court, after finding that the Himachal government has not complied with the Supreme Court directions on construction of storage spaces issued two-and-a-half years ago, had asked the state to complete construction in six months. The court had observed at the time that any delay in implementation of the order would amount to contempt.A division bench of acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel observed that storage facility along with containers and vaults with a double lock system are fully functional at Bilaspur, Baddi, Chamba, Dharamshala, Kullu , Kinnaur, Mandi, Shimla, Solan Sirmaur and Una. “Also, this court, by virtue of Articles 142/144 is duty-bound to have the orders passed by the apex court enforced in letter and spirit,” it added.The Supreme Court had said that the Central government and its agencies, as well as all the state governments should take appropriate steps to set up storage facilities for exclusive storage of seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic and controlled substances.

SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh high court has accepted apology tendered by the state’s additional chief secretary (home) for not complying with the directions issued by the high court on construction of storage places under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985.In May, the high court, after finding that the Himachal government has not complied with the Supreme Court directions on construction of storage spaces issued two-and-a-half years ago, had asked the state to complete construction in six months. The court had observed at the time that any delay in implementation of the order would amount to contempt.A division bench of acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel observed that storage facility along with containers and vaults with a double lock system are fully functional at Bilaspur, Baddi, Chamba, Dharamshala, Kullu , Kinnaur, Mandi, Shimla, Solan Sirmaur and Una. “In Nurpur (district Kangra), the same shall become fully operational and functional from June 30 and in Hamirpur, funds now stand sanctioned,” it added.However, from the affidavit, the high court said, it is not clear whether work has been awarded to the contractor or not.“If not, that (should) be positively done expeditiously and if yes, then particulars of the contractor and the time period within which work is to be completed by him must be specified in the affidavit, which shall be positively filed by the additional chief secretary (home) within two weeks from today,” it said.During the last hearing, the high court said that on January 28, 2016, the Supreme Court had directed all the states to set up such storage places within six months. “It has been more than two-and-a-half years and in our considered view, no effective steps have been taken till date,” it added.The division bench observed that prima facie, it is of the considered view that the state was in contempt of the orders passed by the Supreme Court. “Also, this court, by virtue of Articles 142/144 is duty-bound to have the orders passed by the apex court enforced in letter and spirit,” it added.The Supreme Court had said that the Central government and its agencies, as well as all the state governments should take appropriate steps to set up storage facilities for exclusive storage of seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic and controlled substances. Conveyances equipped with vaults and double locking system were to be put in place to prevent theft, pilferage or replacement of seized drugs.

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