HC seeks Centre, Punjab response on PIL over relaxed rules for de-addiction drugs

The Punjab and Haryana High Court was hearing a PIL alleging repeated regulatory changes aimed at bypassing earlier court orders. It also warned of unchecked sale of psychoactive drugs.

3 min readChandigarhFeb 5, 2026 04:02 PM IST

The bench observed that the issues raised were of public importance and directed the state and the Union government to seek instructions and file their responses. (Express photo)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Punjab government and the Union of India on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Dr Paramjeet Singh Ranu, raising concerns over the relaxation of regulatory conditions governing the dispensing of highly addictive de-addiction drugs such as buprenorphine and its combination with naloxone.

The PIL came up before a division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, which sought responses from the Centre and the state on the issues raised, and fixed the matter for further hearing.

During the hearing, senior counsel for the petitioner submitted that the present petition was the fourth in a series of PILs on the same issue, with three earlier PILs and multiple special leave petitions pending. He said the Drugs Controller General of India had, on March 28, 2019, relaxed the conditions for dispensing buprenorphine-based drugs at the behest of a Punjab-based Association of Psychiatrists, allowing supply not only at designated government-run de-addiction centres but also at private psychiatric clinics and hospitals.

The petitioner argued that such relaxation was granted without inviting objections, expert consultations or public discussion, and was contrary to guidelines issued by PGIMER in a report dated October 9, 2014, which had been accepted by the Punjab government in July 2018. He said the drug was psychoactive in nature and required strict medical supervision, but the relaxed norms would allow dispensing from small private clinics without adequate checks and balances.

The counsel further alleged that subsequent regulatory changes were a “concerted effort” to frustrate earlier court orders. He referred to amendments to rules framed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and later notifications, including amendments to the 2021 rules and the introduction of new rules in 2025, which he said sought to legitimise outpatient facilities for substance use disorder treatment. According to the petitioner, the new framework permitted outpatient centres with minimal infrastructure requirements, such as a doctor’s room of 100 square feet, which could enable fly-by-night operators to dispense addictive drugs.

The petitioner also submitted that the regulatory changes ran contrary to the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and other expert recommendations, and warned that the opening up of outpatient facilities could lead to widespread misuse and illegal sale of de-addiction drugs.

The bench observed that the issues raised were of public importance and directed the state and the Union government to seek instructions and file their responses. The petitioner also indicated that the matter required an early hearing, noting concerns that unregulated outpatient facilities could open the floodgates to misuse.

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The rules in question have been in force since December 12, 2025, and the petitioner sought an early date for further consideration. The bench granted four weeks for the respondents to file their replies.

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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