In a significant move highlighting the grave drug menace in the state, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of alarming graffiti found in a Bathinda village that brazenly announced the open sale of narcotics. The court has formally sought a detailed report from the Punjab government through its Chief Secretary.
Court Converts Matter into Public Interest Litigation
The bench, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, decided to treat the case as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) based on its own motion. The matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on December 22. This proactive step by the judiciary underscores the severity of the issue brought to light by the villagers' desperate act.
Desperate Cry for Help: 'Chitta Sharey-Aam Vikda Hai'
The incident that triggered judicial intervention occurred on a Sunday morning in Maur Kalan village of Bathinda district. Residents woke up to find the phrase 'Chitta sharey-aam vikda hai' (open sale of drugs) painted on the outer walls of several homes. This was not vandalism but a stark, public cry for help from the community itself.
Following the appearance of the graffiti, a large number of villagers, including women, gathered to voice their anguish. They presented a harrowing picture of life in the village, alleging that drugs are easily available, leading many youths to fall prey to addiction. The community claimed that some young lives had already been lost to this scourge.
A major point of contention raised by the villagers was the perceived inaction and inefficacy of the police system. They alleged that the police were not doing enough, as those arrested for drug trafficking often secured bail quickly and returned to their illegal activities, creating a cycle of crime and impunity.
Broader Context: HC Already Seized of Related Drug Menace PIL
This is not the only drug-related PIL being heard by the bench of Chief Justice Nagu and Justice Berry. The court is concurrently hearing another distressing case concerning a drug-addicted couple who allegedly sold their five-month-old son for Rs 1.8 lakh.
During the previous hearing of that case on November 21, the bench made a crucial observation. It stated that the larger question of the drug problem in Punjab needed to be addressed comprehensively, moving beyond the individual incident. That PIL has been posted for hearing on December 10.
The court's decision to take up the Maur Kalan graffiti case suo motu appears to be a direct extension of this concern, treating the village's plight as a symptomatic manifestation of the widespread epidemic. The dual hearings signal the judiciary's intent to apply pressure on the state administration to formulate and implement a concrete, effective response to the drug crisis plaguing Punjab's social fabric.
