'Very Stressing': Delhi High Court Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Alleged Drug Syndicate In Okhla Industrial Area

"This is very stressing", the Delhi High Court orally remarked today while taking suo moto cognizance of alleged drug syndicate running in city's Okhla Industrial area.

A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia has appointed an amicus curiae to visit the area and conduct an inquiry, following which Police action will be ordered.

The development comes while the Court was hearing a petition alleging that the drug syndicate is spoiling the country's youth and economic culture.

At the outset, the Court found the petition to be drafted poorly, stating that "Prayer should be concise and specific, not an essay".

However, during the hearing, the Respondent counsel pointed that the plea appeared to be stemming from personal dispute of the Petitioner. Following which the Court refused to entertain the petition and warned of costs. However, noting that the concern raised in the petition is "serious", the Court decided to take suo moto cognizance of the situation. It ordered,

"This PIL apparently has not been filed for genuine reasons rather it emerges it is a tool being applied by the Petitioner to take revenge. PIL jurisdiction can't be permitted to be used for attaining personal interest. Purity of PIL should be maintained...for aforesaid reasons we refuse to entertain this petition. However issue sought to be raised in the petition is important. Accordingly, we request a practicing lawyer of this court to assist the court as amicus...The cause title of petition shall also be altered accordingly and petition shall be registered as a suo motu."

The Court also directed the SHO of the area concerned to provide adequate protection to the amicus if he visits the area for gathering necessary information.

"Conduct raids...I mean if you think over it...it is very stressing...do something," the CJ orally told the officer present in Court.

The matter is now listed on February 27.

Case Title: SUNDER V/s UNION OF INDIA AND ORS

Case No.: W.P.(C)-1145/2026