AP Moves to Fast-Track Drug Cases with 13 Special Courts Proposal
In a major step to strengthen the fight against narcotics and ensure swift justice, the Andhra Pradesh Police have proposed the establishment of 13 special courts across the State for speedy trial of drug-related offences. Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta announced the move on Saturday while inaugurating the State headquarters of the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) at Mangalagiri.
The DGP said nearly 7,000 narcotics-related cases were pending in courts across Andhra Pradesh, underlining the urgent need for dedicated courts to accelerate the legal process.
To further tighten enforcement, Mr. Gupta said 10,000 drug testing kits would be supplied to the police in the first phase, followed by another 10,000 kits in the second phase. The initiative is intended to help detect drug use and curb consumption effectively.
The DGP, accompanied by EAGLE head and Inspector General of Police Ake Ravi Krishna, along with senior officers R. Jayalakshmi, B. Raja Kumari, R.N. Ammi Reddy and Satya Yesubabu, inaugurated the chambers and conference hall in the newly built three-storeyed headquarters complex.
Mr. Gupta said EAGLE had emerged as a leading anti-narcotics agency in the country through its focused crackdown on ganja cultivation and strict implementation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
EAGLE Superintendent of Police Nagesh Babu and Palnadu Superintendent of Police B. Krishna Rao were among those present on the occasion.