Prison warders can now check inmates for drugs
Tuesday, 26/03/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130326/punjab.htm#12
Bathinda : Following a series of incidents of smuggling of drugs and other prohibited material inside various jails in the state, the Punjab Government has armed head warders and head matrons with powers to take action against culprits under Sections 42 and 67 of the NDPS (Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance) Act.
The Sections 42 and 67 empower the designated officials to enter and search any premises and effect seizure. These powers were earlier vested with the officers of the Jail Department.
The Punjab department of Home Affairs and Justice has sent these orders to all prisons, empowering these officials with power to search and check the menace of smuggling of narcotics under the two Sections.
Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) said the order was issued on March 22 and has come into force with immediate effect.
In the recent past, several incidents of smuggling drugs into prisons, especially in Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Faridkot and Nabha, have come to light and the fresh order of the government has come to check the menace.
Those visiting the jails to meet their relatives and friends were in many cases detected to be carrying narcotics concealed in vegetables and other eatables.
Tightening noose
The orders have come following seizures of drugs and other prohibited material inside jails
Action can be taken under Sections 42 and 67 of the NDPS Act
These sections empower the officials to enter and search any premises and effect seizure
These powers were earlier vested only with the higher Jail Department officials
