Supreme Court asked Chhattisgarh Police to report how many Savitribai Phule Pune University students are involved in drug cases. The directive came during a bail plea hearing of a student caught with 30 kg ganja.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India recently directed the Chhattisgarh Police to gather information about the involvement of students from Savitribai Phule Pune University in drug-related crimes.
This direction came during the hearing of a bail plea filed by 25-year-old student Anil Bhor, who is currently facing trial under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The case involves the alleged recovery of 30 kilograms of ganja from Bhor and his co-accused Prashant Athani. Both of them are students of Savitribai Phule Pune University.
The case was heard by a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and SVN Bhatti.
While taking note that both the accused belong to the same university, the Bench showed concern and asked the Chhattisgarh Police to find out if other students from this university were also involved in similar drug cases.
The Bench said,
“We direct, the learned counsel for the State of Chhattisgarh to find out as to how many other students of this University are involved in similar kind of incidences and how many of them are facing investigation/trial…The Police may collect the necessary information in this regard from the local SHO and the University Authorities.”
This order by the Court is important because it looks beyond the individuals involved and aims to find out if there is a larger issue involving students from the same university.
The case is now expected to be heard again in July.
As per reports, Bhor was arrested in February 2024 by the police in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh. He was arrested along with another student, Prashant Athani, following the alleged seizure of ganja from their possession.
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The police charged them under the strict provisions of the NDPS Act, which deals with drug trafficking and possession.
In his defense, Anil Bhor has claimed that he had no knowledge of any drugs being found. He has also pointed out certain procedural mistakes in the investigation process.
Additionally, it has been brought to the Court’s notice that some key witnesses for the prosecution have now turned hostile, meaning they are not supporting the prosecution’s version of events anymore.
Anil Bhor was represented in the Supreme Court by Advocate Anand Dilip Landge. On the other hand, the State of Chhattisgarh was represented by Deputy Advocate General Praneet Pranav, Standing Counsel Vinayak Sharma, and Advocates Ravinder Kumar Yadav and Kshitiz Aggarwal.
This case highlights the seriousness with which the Supreme Court is treating the matter of drug abuse among students.
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The Court’s direction to collect information from the local police and university authorities shows its intent to take a wider view of the issue and ensure a proper investigation.
The outcome of this case in the coming hearing in July will likely have a broader impact, especially if more students are found to be involved in such activities.
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