Jharkhand HC orders action against drug peddling; Aims to curb rising illicit drug sales in Ranchi
Ranchi: Jharkhand high court on Monday directed the central and state govts to collaborate in taking action against drug peddling in Ranchi and rest of the state.
A division bench of Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar gave the direction while hearing a PIL registered suo motu on sale of drugs on Nov 14, 2025, following news reports on the issue.
Sale of marijuana, brown sugar and banned cough syrup in the state capital had seen a steep rise in the recent months, the court had observed while registering the PIL. The court had said that sale of such intoxicants illegally is a serious concern. The court took note of the news reports, which highlighted the sale of marijuana and brown sugar in the state capital.
The state govt informed the court that two standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been developed for curbing the sale of drugs and intoxicants and another SOP has been prepared for seizure and investigation of related cases. The court ordered that the SOPs should be implemented with immediate effect.
The court also suggested to conduct awareness programmes and workshops to educate schoolchildren about the harmful effects of drug addiction.
The court also observed that apprehending small-time peddlers will not stop the sale and consumption of drugs. “The govt has to take help of all its agencies to curb sale of drugs. Possibly the network of sale of drugs lies outside the state from where the big fish in this business operate. Such syndicate of the drug mafia needs to be apprehended as well,” the court observed.
“The money trail in the business of sale of drugs should also be traced in order to nab the guilty,” the bench added, while disposing of the petition.
A division bench of Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar gave the direction while hearing a PIL registered suo motu on sale of drugs on Nov 14, 2025, following news reports on the issue.
Sale of marijuana, brown sugar and banned cough syrup in the state capital had seen a steep rise in the recent months, the court had observed while registering the PIL. The court had said that sale of such intoxicants illegally is a serious concern. The court took note of the news reports, which highlighted the sale of marijuana and brown sugar in the state capital.
The state govt informed the court that two standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been developed for curbing the sale of drugs and intoxicants and another SOP has been prepared for seizure and investigation of related cases. The court ordered that the SOPs should be implemented with immediate effect.
The court also suggested to conduct awareness programmes and workshops to educate schoolchildren about the harmful effects of drug addiction.
The court also observed that apprehending small-time peddlers will not stop the sale and consumption of drugs. “The govt has to take help of all its agencies to curb sale of drugs. Possibly the network of sale of drugs lies outside the state from where the big fish in this business operate. Such syndicate of the drug mafia needs to be apprehended as well,” the court observed.
“The money trail in the business of sale of drugs should also be traced in order to nab the guilty,” the bench added, while disposing of the petition.
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