STF books de-addiction centre owner for selling drugs to addicts

Ludhiana: The Special Task Force (STF) booked the owner of a drug de-addiction centre in Model Town for selling psychotropic drugs to the addicts. The STF has also arrested an employee of the centre with 9,100 tablets and Rs 78,000 of drug money.

Sources said the employee — Manjit Singh of Phullanwal village — used to deliver tablets among the addicts. His employer Dr Pankaj Verma, owner of Dr Pankaj Verma Neuropsychiatric and De-addiction Centre in Model Town, is yet to be arrested.

Inspector Harbans Singh, in charge, STF, Ludhiana unit, said the STF got information that Dr Pankaj Verma was allegedly selling psychotropic drugs among addicts through his assistant Manjit Singh. The STF arrested Manjit Singh with Rs 78,000 drug money and 9,100 tablets from his possession.

The official said during questioning, Manjit said Dr Pankaj Verma used to send him to deliver drugs to addicts at their doorsteps. He used to collect money from addicts and hand it over to the doctor.

The inspector said according to NDPS Act, the doctor cannot sell drugs outside his premises and can’t give more than 60 tablets to anyone. Moreover, such tablets can’t be sold without prescription.

An FIR has been registered by Model Town police in this matter.

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