The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to compensate a 36-year-old man with ₹2 lakh after he was falsely implicated in a drug case for possessing Paracetamol tablets. The court strongly criticised the police for violating the petitioner’s fundamental rights, terming their actions “deeply troubling.”
Justice Kirti Singh lambasted the authorities for their disregard for the rule of law and ordered that half the compensation amount be recovered from the salary of Sub-Inspector Rajinder Singh, responsible for the misconduct. The payment must be made within a month.
The incident occurred on June 24, 2024, when the petitioner, an agriculture diploma holder, delayed giving way to a police vehicle on a narrow road. Two days later, he was falsely charged under the NDPS Act at Sultanpur Lodhi police station in Kapurthala.
The petitioner alleged illegal detention before the FIR was filed and claimed that his family was kept in the dark about his whereabouts. A forensic report later revealed the seized tablets were Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), a non-narcotic drug.
The judgment highlights the abuse of power by officials and the importance of accountability in law enforcement. The High Court’s decision sends a clear message against misuse of authority and aims to safeguard citizens’ rights.
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