50% of Punjab jail inmates drug-dependent; court calls it ‘serious challenge’

The Punjab and Haryana High Court also directed Haryana and Chandigarh to submit details of drug-dependent jail inmates.

2 min readChandigarhSep 3, 2026 04:51 PM IST

Of 35,449 inmates lodged in different jails in Punjab, 15,768 are dependent on drugs, according to the government. (AI image)

Noting that almost half of prison inmates across Punjab are drug-dependent, the Punjab and Haryana High Court urged the government Tuesday to accord the highest priority to the matter, which it said represented “a serious challenge for the state”.

The observations came as the court took on record a status report filed by the Punjab government pursuant to an August 20 order on a suo motu writ petition. The petition was filed after the administrative judge of the Mansa sessions division submitted a report, stating that approximately 69 per cent of inmates are undergoing treatment at the Out-Patient Opioid Assisted Treatment Clinics on jail premises in the state.

“Perusal of the said status report indicates that almost 50 per cent of the jail inmates lodged in different jails across the State are drug-dependent. Out of a total of 35,449 jail inmates lodged in different jails, 15,768 are dependent on drugs. The age-wise composition has also been furnished in paragraph 5 of the status report, which indicates that most of these drug-dependent inmates are in the prime of their youth. This clearly reflects a serious challenge for the State, which must be accorded the highest priority,” a bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rajesh Gaur said.

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The court also directed Haryana and Chandigarh to submit details of drug-dependent jail inmates before the next date of hearing, September 8.

Also Read | Bigger sharks not being caught: CJI raises alarm over Punjab drug menace

The bench asked Amicus Curiae Tanu Bedi to examine the status report filed by Punjab and assist the court in addressing the problem.

The court made the health department a respondent in the case following a request from Deputy Advocate General Salil Sabhlok. It also impleaded the Union health ministry, the Haryana health department, the Chandigarh Union Territory, and Chandigarh’s Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) as respondents.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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