Now Reading: Punjab and Haryana High Court summons Haryana DGP over police witness no-show in NDPS trials
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Punjab and Haryana High Court summons Haryana DGP over police witness no-show in NDPS trials
Punjab and Haryana High Court summons Haryana DGP over police witness no-show in NDPS trials
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Haryana Director General of Police to personally appear and explain why police witnesses in NDPS cases repeatedly fail to attend trial despite warrants. Justice Sumeet Goel termed this a "systemic lapse" and "abdication of duty" that frustrates the constitutional right to a speedy trial under Article 21. The court noted that the conduct of state employees erodes public confidence in justice and emboldens criminal elements.
The order came while hearing the second bail petition of Prem Singh, in custody since January 24, 2025. None of the 19 prosecution witnesses, all police officials, had been examined, with bailable and even non-bailable warrants remaining unexecuted for extended periods. The court granted Singh interim regular bail, ruling that the stringent bail conditions under Section 37 of the NDPS Act cannot justify indefinite incarceration caused by state delays.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Punjab and Haryana High Court's summons to the Haryana DGP marks an escalation in judicial frustration over trial delays under the NDPS Act. Under Section 37 of the Act, bail is severely restricted for commercial-quantity cases, yet the court held that indefinite incarceration cannot follow when the state itself stalls the trial. The real burden falls on undertrials, many of whom are from poor or marginalised backgrounds, who spend months or years in jail awaiting testimony from police witnesses. The court's next step, the DGP's personal appearance and explanation, will determine if systemic reforms follow or if this remains a one-off warning. Watch for the Haryana government's response and whether the DGP files a compliance report before the next hearing.
Source: livelaw.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
