Amit Shah Questions Limited Use Of PIT-NDPS Act Against Drug Traffickers In Punjab

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party government over its use of the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Shah questioned the state government’s record on preventive detention of repeat drug traffickers.

The remarks came during the closing rally of the BJP’s 13-day Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra in Jalandhar.

Shah accused the Punjab government of failing to act firmly against the drug trade. He highlighted the state’s high number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Recent official data reported by The Tribune showed Punjab had registered more than 2.17 lakh narcotics offenders since early 2024.

The state had ordered preventive detention under the PIT-NDPS Act in seven cases by September 10.

The PIT-NDPS Act, enacted in 1988, allows preventive detention of drug traffickers for up to two years. It targets repeat offenders who may continue illicit activities despite regular criminal proceedings.

Punjab Police, however, has reported substantial enforcement under the regular NDPS law.

Since March 2025, police registered 60,582 FIRs and arrested 79,784 accused, including 708 major traffickers.

Shah made the drug trade a central theme of the Jalandhar rally. He pledged that, if the BJP forms the government in Punjab, it will eliminate the drug trade by December 31, 2029.

The Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra covered all 117 Assembly constituencies and travelled around 4,000 km.

The campaign sought to build public awareness against narcotics across the state.

Also Read: Punjab Drug Crisis: Amit Shah Criticises AAP Government At Jalandhar Rally