The Kerala High Court on Tuesday raised concerns over the sharp increase in drug-related cases across the state.
Justice VG Arun emphasized that the growing social menace of drug abuse cannot be overlooked, especially when the State Assembly itself recently set aside its regular proceedings to discuss its impact, including its spread in schools.
"We have reached a stage where the State Assembly had to suspend its regular business to consider this social menace. I read in the newspaper that on February 8th, the session was suspended to consider this issue because it has now reached the schools. This is the reality we have to deal with. We have been pushing it off saying that in Kerala it is not happening," the judge orally observed.
The Court was considering a bail application filed by an individual arrested for offenses under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).
Justice Arun, referencing statistical data, highlighted the concerning surge in NDPS cases and the troubling shift from the use of Ganja to more hazardous synthetic drugs.
"The statistics are alarming. There were 27 thousand odd arrests in NDPS crimes in 2024 alone. The increase from 2021 to 2024 is 330 percent. There is also a marked shift from ganja to synthetic drug use. Its common use in parties and what they are calling in after parties is concerning," he said.
Although the Court initially indicated that the bail application would be dismissed, it later decided to list the matter again for hearing next week.
However, Justice Arun reiterated the crucial role of courts in intervening when a pattern of NDPS offenses is established against the same individuals.
"These NDPS offences are offences against society as a whole and there is an alarming rise in such cases ... When it comes to subsequent crimes for NDPS offences, the court has to step in and cancel the bail," Justice Arun said.
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