Punjab government approves 35 special courts to address drug case backlog

The Punjab state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved the establishment of 35 exclusive courts to handle cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This move aims to accelerate trials and reduce a significant backlog, as pending drug-related cases reached 52,577 as of August 31, 2026.

Currently, drug cases in Punjab take approximately eight years to reach a verdict. The state registers roughly 20,000 NDPS cases and approximately 27,000 drug-related arrests annually. To support the new courts, the government has sanctioned ₹75 crore for infrastructure and approved 385 new positions, including 35 Additional District and Sessions Judges, 315 support staff, and 35 Assistant District Attorneys.

In related law enforcement activity, the Punjab Police continue intensive operations against organized crime and narcotics. The ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign recently marked its 283rd day, resulting in 186 arrests during a single day of raids. Simultaneously, the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ anti-drug campaign has reached 608 days, with recent operations in Amritsar leading to the arrest of eight individuals for allegedly operating drug trafficking and illegal arms networks.