'Drug Peddlers Using Students As Sellers': Supreme Court Raises Concerns About Drug Trafficking In Educational Institutes

While dealing with a narcotics case involving a 21-year old law student, the Supreme Court recently raised concerns about drug trafficking and abuse across educational institutions in the country.

It lamented that drug peddlers often target students as consumers as well as agents, thereby transforming schools and colleges into target zones for illicit substance networks.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi was dealing with the accused-student's plea, when it directed interim protection from coercive action, noting that the case would have to be handled delicately to avoid damaging her career.

"Drug trafficking and abuse within educational institutions represent a critical, growing challenge, transforming schools and colleges into target zones for illicit substance networks. Criminal networks actively target students as both consumers and agents, with reports indicating that drug peddlers use students to sell drugs with educational environments", it observed.

Though the court granted interim protection to the petitioner, the trial court was allowed to proceed against the 3 other accused, who allegedly supplied the drugs.

Briefly put, the petitioner is a 4th-year law student, alleged to have been found in possession of 20 grams of ganja. From the material, it appeared to the Court that accused Nos.1-3 in the case were working together. Accused No.3 was apparently the drug supplier and accused Nos.1-2 travelled to the petitioner's college on a scooty to handover the drugs. A raid was conducted at the time of the exchange and the petitioner caught with the ganja.

Considering the allegations, the bench expressed, "We are much concerned with a young girl being addicted to drugs, and that too a bright young girl pursuing her law. This is the position across the Country." Asking the State to obtain appropriate instructions in the matter, it indicated that it may consider appointing an Amicus on the next date (if need be).