The Delhi High Court, on Wednesday, issued notice to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on a petition alleging the disappearance of over 70 thousand kilograms of heroin, valued at nearly ₹5 lakh crore, from government seizure records between 2018 and 2020 [BR Aravindakshan v Union of India rep through Ministry of Home Affairs & Ors].
Court Proceedings
Justice Subramonium Prasad presided over the hearing and directed the Ministry of Finance and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to submit their responses within four weeks. The court scheduled the next hearing for September 9.
Petitioner’s Plea
The petition, filed by journalist BR Aravindakshan, sought an investigation by the MHA into the alleged discrepancies. Aravindakshan requested the court to compel the MHA to provide records regarding the seizure and disposal of the confiscated drugs.
The petitioner highlighted substantial disparities between the reports of the NCRB and the data provided by the MHA concerning heroin seizures from 2018 to 2020. According to the plea, a total of 70,772.544 kilograms of heroin went missing from seizure records during this period, with an estimated value of ₹5 lakh crore.
Magnitude of Discrepancy
The plea emphasized the significant implications of such a large-scale discrepancy, warning of potential chaos in society if not promptly addressed. The petitioner asserted that despite exhausting available channels for clarification on the matter, no resolution had been achieved thus far.
The court’s decision to issue notice to the MHA reflects its commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the petitioner and ensuring accountability in matters of drug seizure and law enforcement.
