Death Penalty for Drug Dealers: Government's Tough Stand On Drug Abuse

Shimla (The Uttam Hindu): While on one hand the Punjab government is taking strict steps to end drug abuse, on the other hand the Himachal government has also taken a big decision to stop drug abuse in the state. The government has approved giving death penalty to drug smugglers. The Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed two bills for the rehabilitation of people trapped in drug addiction. In this regard, the Himachal Pradesh Organized Crime Prevention and Control Bill 2025 was passed by voice vote. It provides for not only life imprisonment but also death penalty for drug dealers. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu introduced it in the Assembly.

After which it was discussed and passed. It also provides for a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. It is believed that Himachal Pradesh is the first state to make such a provision. According to the bill, if anyone is caught transporting, supplying or possessing such drugs which can cause addiction, then he will be punished as per the provisions of the said law. Apart from this, in the case of illegal mining, smuggling of wildlife, human trafficking, doing any work with false documents, smuggling of human organs, dumping of dangerous substances and forgery of intellectual goods, punishment will be given under the provisions of Himachal Pradesh Organized Crime Prevention and Control Act.

If someone dies due to violence by a member of the organized crime syndicate or by the syndicate, then life imprisonment or death penalty can be given. The property acquired by the members of the syndicate through drugs or other illegal means will be confiscated. The government can seize this property. The government has also banned the sale of tobacco or other intoxicating drugs or substances within a radius of 500 meters of educational institutions. Earlier, the sale of such substances was banned only within a radius of 100 meters. It will be implemented after the bill is published in the gazette.