RANCHI, India, May 7 -- Jharkhand High Court issued the following order on April 6:

1. Heard Mr. Kumar Vaibhaw, learned Amicus Curiae; Mr. Prashant Pallav, learned A.S.G.I. appears for the UOI; Mr. Piyush Chitresh, learned A.C. to A.G. appears for the State; Mr. Suman Kumar Ghosh, learned A.C. to Mr. Atanu Banerjee appears for the JHALSA; and Mr. L.C.N. Shahdeo appears for the R.M.C.

2. This petition concerns the drug menace that is unfortunately engulfing the State of Jharkhand.

3. Earlier, this petition had been disposed of, but the co-ordinate Bench felt it necessary to revive this petition after coming across press reports highlighting the rampant sale of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances throughout the State. By order dated 14th November, 2025, after reviving this petition, the State was directed to file a detailed affidavit.

4. In compliance, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kotwali, Ranchi did file an affidavit before this Court. After examining the affidavit, the co-ordinate Bench of this Court felt that there has to be a concerted efforts by all the stakeholders empowered under the N.D.P.S. Act and other legislations to tackle this menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. In order to facilitate the authorities to work at tandem, and looking to the magnitude of the drug menace, the co-ordinate Bench posted the matter on 19th December, 2025 for interactions with the D.G.P., Jharkhand and the Joint Director, N.C.B. Patna.

5. After interacting with the officials of the State and the Central Government, the co-ordinate Bench took cognizance of the D.G.P's assurance about the formulation of an S.O.P. to effectively deal with the drug menace. Accordingly, directions were issued for placing S.O.P. along with an affidavit before this Court on 6th February, 2026.

6. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime Police Station, Ranchi has filed an affidavit enclosing two sets of S.O.Ps. along with. The first S.O.P. deals with investigation under the N.D.P.S. Act, 1985 and the second S.O.P. deals with search, seizure, sampling and destruction of drugs and psychotropic substances.

7. The affidavit filed by the Dy. S.P., there is a reference to such S.O.P. being shared with all the police stations in the State of Jharkhand and other authorities under the N.D.P.S. Act and the allied acts enjoined to deal with the menace of drugs and psychotropic substances. In the affidavit, there are assurances about compliance in a right earnest to ensure that this drug menace is substantially curtailed if not altogether eliminated.

8. Mr. Prashant Pallav, learned A.S.G.I. has also assured the Court that the State and Central authorities are acting in tandem and will act in tandem to see that this menace of drugs is substantially reduced in the State of Jharkhand. He submitted that the central authorities are taking all necessary steps and will continue to do so in co-operation with the state authorities to ensure that this menace is appropriately addressed.

9. The learned Amicus Curiae, quite fairly submitted that two S.O.Ps. addressed the concerns expressed by this Court in its orders quite substantially. He submitted that the affidavits filed on behalf of the respondents do suggest that all police stations and other agencies concerned with the issue of dealing with the drug menace have been apprised of the S.O.Ps. and directions have been issued to them to comply with the S.O.Ps.

10. Now that the S.O.Ps. are in place, and we have assurances from both the State and Central authorities functioning in the State of Jharkhand that all steps, in good earnest, would be taken to deal with this menace of drugs and psychotropic substances, we propose to dispose of this petition.

*Rest of the document can be viewed at: (https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/ecourtindiaHC/cases/display_pdf.php?filename=bzPoyUlszYLCUcCpirIpqPwdZh07pYj%2BfSHiQ6Il%2BACw4DWVGdxqBePNtxqvP8wo&caseno=WPC/1139/2024&cCode=1&cino=JHHC010076542024&state_code=7&appFlag=)

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.