The Supreme Court in Paramjit Singh v/s The State Of Punjab remarked that NDPS matters are not usual matters and that over 2000 offenders are absconding. It has asked the State to put in place appropriate provisions to ensure that the absconding individuals are brought to book within a reasonable time, and to the effect that in the event of failure, the concerned police officer is proceeded with departmentally.
The Bench questioned the Advocate General of Punjab about the timeline given to the authority and that the concerned must do this within 30 days' time. “It is not a usual matter, it is an NDPS matter. This is an open-ended circular that you have come up with. There is to be some timeline to proceed departmentally and for taking action against the erring officials. Where is that assurance in the affidavit that there will be timelines for the officials to act and if they fail to do that, they will be proceeded against departmentally? And the department head should take the responsibility for this, not the additional inspector general!”
The Court further added that “There has to be positive action including against the officials who did not take any action. Otherwise, things will never proceed. The number is staggering! This is not an ordinary offence but a peculiar offence affecting the entire society as a whole!”
“.... Change of the government does not mean the police have been changed. This is a very lame excuse that you are giving. Every time a new counsel is appearing! ……. There has to be positive action including against the officials who did not take any action. Otherwise, things will never proceed. The number is staggering! This is not an ordinary offence but a peculiar offence affecting the entire society as a whole!”
The order read as "Assurance is given by the Advocate General on behalf of the respondent-State that all essential steps will be taken to ensure that the absconding offenders/accused persons are brought to book within a reasonable time and failing which the Officer, who is made personally liable in terms of the order shall be proceeded with departmentally for the acts of commission and omission. "