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Punjab and Haryana HC seeks report on infant sold by drug addict parents in Mansa district

Punjab’s share of national drug deaths stood at 21 per cent, mostly among young adults aged 18-30.

3 min readChandigarhNov 14, 2025 06:17 PM IST

He brought to the court’s attention multiple studies and government records that depict the scale of the crisis. (File)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Friday sought an urgent report from the Mansa District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) on the condition and custody of a five-month-old boy allegedly sold by his drug addict parents for Rs 1.8 lakh, and questioned why the infant had not been kept with his mother, who is currently in judicial custody.

Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by retired boxing coach and former Sports Authority of India (SAI) chief coach Labh Singh, the division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry issued notice to the Punjab government. The bench directed that the responses be filed before the next hearing on November 18.

The petition was argued by Senior Advocate Baltej Singh Sidhu, assisted by Advocate Himmat Singh Sidhu, who submitted that the Mansa incident reflected the convergence of drug addiction, poverty and child vulnerability in Punjab. Baltej Singh Sidhu said the state’s failure to put in place a coordinated anti-drug and rehabilitation framework had pushed families to the brink.

He brought to the court’s attention multiple studies and government records that depict the scale of the crisis. He alleged that as of 2022, over 3 million people in Punjab were consuming some form of drugs, citing statewide and PGIMER surveys that estimated 15.4 per cent of the state’s population was engaged in substance use.

He further cited a 2023 parliamentary report showing that among minors, 3,43,000 were using opioids, including heroin, 18,100 were using cocaine, and around 72,000 were dependent on inhalants. Baltej Singh Sidhu also submitted that Punjab recorded the highest drug overdose deaths in India in 2022, with 144 fatalities, and that 16 per cent of India’s women drug addicts are from Punjab.

Punjab’s share of national drug deaths stood at 21 per cent, mostly among young adults aged 18-30, he said, adding that chronic demand, entrenched supply chains and “protection” within law enforcement had prevented meaningful enforcement.

The PIL arises from an FIR registered at Bareta police station on October 25 after a 19-year-old mother, formerly a state-level wrestler, and her husband allegedly sold their infant through a forged adoption deed. The Child Welfare Department later took the child into custody.

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During the hearing, Baltej Singh Sidhu argued that addiction alone should not justify separating a child from the mother without examining alternatives mandated under law. He pointed to Section 6 of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, which recognises a mother as the natural guardian of a child below five.

The bench questioned why the infant was placed in institutional care instead of being kept with the mother in custody, observing that infants of such age are ordinarily permitted to stay with incarcerated women. “No law on earth can deprive a child of the warmth of the mother’s lap,” remarked Senior Advocate Baltej Singh Sidhu. The court directed the DCPO to file a detailed status report on the infant’s well-being and care arrangements.

Appearing for the state, the counsel submitted that the mother has applied for bail and remains in judicial custody, while the child continues to be under the care of the Child Welfare Department. He also said that a state task force headed by a senior police officer was in place to stop the flow of drugs.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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