CORRECTIVE STEP
The drafting of a fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for investigation and prosecution under the NDPS Act marks a crucial corrective step in Jammu and Kashmir’s fight against the growing drug menace. The move acknowledges a hard truth: stringent laws alone are insufficient if procedural lapses repeatedly weaken cases and allow offenders to walk free.
The decision, rooted in deliberations of the NCORD meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, reflects the administration’s intent to address systemic weaknesses that have long plagued NDPS prosecutions. Acquittals due to non-compliance with mandatory provisions not only erode public confidence in the justice system but also embolden narcotics networks that thrive on such loopholes.
What makes the proposed SOP significant is its emphasis on capacity building and specialization. NDPS cases, especially those involving commercial quantities, demand high procedural precision. Assigning such cases to trained and experienced officers, ensuring uniform documentation, timely forensic analysis and close coordination between investigators, prosecutors and the Law Department can substantially improve conviction rates.
Equally important is the introduction of accountability mechanisms. Fixing responsibility for avoidable lapses sends a strong signal that casual handling of serious narcotics cases will no longer be tolerated. The directive to promptly challenge bail and acquittal orders further reinforces the Government’s zero-tolerance approach.
