J&K and Ladakh High Court Upholds Preventive Detention of Drug Trafficking Accused

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh upheld the preventive detention of Rajouri resident Mohd Shakoor, accused of repeated drug trafficking, while dismissing a habeas corpus plea filed by his wife.

Justice MA Chowdhary ruled on August 19 that it is the impact of an act, not its frequency, that justifies preventive detention.

The Court found no procedural lapses in the Divisional Commissioner’s order under the NDPS Act, 1988, and stressed that Shakoor’s involvement in drug trafficking posed grave threats to public health, youth, and national security.

It emphasised that preventive detention is precautionary, aimed at stopping irreversible harm to society.

(Mohd Shakoor through his wife vs Union Territory of J&K)