Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a stern warning against the Punjab Police’s use of arrest quotas in its anti-drug campaign, raising concerns over potential abuse of authority and the framing of innocent individuals. The court’s remarks, delivered by Justice Sandeep Moudgil on March 22, come less than a week after Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced that the performance of Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) would be evaluated based on the number of arrests and seizures in the ongoing drug crackdown.
Justice Moudgil criticized the policy as a “draconian” measure that risks turning innocents into “scapegoats” to meet arbitrary targets. “Such an approach will create a barbaric situation where the innocent are falsely implicated,” he observed, adding that it could “fuel unchecked abuse of authority” and derail the campaign’s objective of curbing Punjab’s drug menace. The court emphasized that while the anti-drug drive is a welcome step to protect the youth, a target-driven system undermines justice and fosters corruption.
The warning followed a bail hearing in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, where the court granted relief to the accused due to trial delays. Justice Moudgil likened the quota system to a “bounty,” suggesting it might inadvertently expand the drug trade by prioritizing numbers over genuine enforcement. The remarks have sparked debate, with critics of the Punjab government alleging political pressure to inflate arrest figures.
