Register culpable homicide case in drug death: Haryana body

CHANDIGARH: In yet another move targeted to curb drug menace in the state, the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) has proposed to register cases of culpable homicide not amounting to murder into the incidents of deaths due to drug overdose or due to suspected consumption of drugs.
According to information, the bureau has justified that this will not only help in curbing drug abuse, but will also help in reaching out to the real culprits.
The move is consequent to the incidence of deaths due to overdose of drugs, especially the rural and urban belts of Sirsa, Fatehabad and districts on the national highways. Notably, Sirsa and Fatehabad districts alone have reported over 50 such deaths of drug overdose. In the most recent reported incident, Ajay Nandal, an athlete who happened to be the husband of an international medalist, had allegedly died of drug abuse.
In a communication to police headquarters, the HSNCB has also urged the headquarters to direct cops in the field to register the cases of Section 308 of IPC or 326 of IPC in case the victims of drug abuse survive after going into the medical coma due to drug abuse
“This is one of the different measures we have suggested to the police headquarters to curb the menace. We are waiting for the formal nod and sending down of message down the line so that investigating officers are made aware,’’ said Shrikant Jadhav, additional director general of police (ADGP) and head of HSNCB.
In case of registration of case of culpable homicide, we shall be able to investigate the cause of death and we shall have options for making people join the investigations. Similarly, in case of registration of cases under Sections 308 IPC and 326 of IPC, we shall be able to have thorough investigations about source and destination of supply of drugs, added Jadhav
It may be recalled that during the Monsoon Session, Ellenabad MLA Abhay Singh Chautala, Congress MLA Varun Chaudhary and NIT Faridabad MLA Neeraj Sharma had given adjournment motions on drug abuse and incidence of deaths in the state.
Haryana’s health and home minister Anil Vij admitted that the government is taking stringent actions to curb the menace. While replying to MLAs, he had categorically reiterated that those involved in the drug trade would not be spared at any point of time.
“Soon after the session, we have already ordered for complete forensic examinations, chemical examinations and audit of deaths due to suspicion of overdose. And, once the cause of death is established, we shall certainly move forward,’’ said Anil Vij.