Pubdate: Mon, 06 Aug 2012
Source: DNA (India)
Copyright: 2012 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd
Contact:  http://www.dnaindia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4442

DRUG PUSHERS CAN BREEZE IN AND OUT OF JAIL

The increasing numbers of drug-peddling cases in Bangalore make people
wonder why the city is being increasingly targeted these days.

Police officials reveal that apart from people earning higher
salaries, the convenience of getting a faster bail is the biggest
reason for drug peddlers making the city their main target.

"Most drug peddlers on interrogation told us that it is easy for them
to get bail and walk free in a couple of weeks, whereas it is
extremely difficult to do so in some other states of India as well as
foreign countries," said a senior police officer.

Compared to Mumbai and Delhi, a foreign drug peddler gets bail much
faster in Bangalore. "Our courts, without knowing, what adverse impact
a drug peddler will have on society, grants them bail, officer said.

"Once the peddler is out on bail, it is difficult for us to keep a
track of his movements. That's because they do not stay put at one
place. We also don't get to know about their release when they are
enlarged on bail," said joint commissioner of police (crime-east) B
Dayananda.

According to the police manual, the respective jurisdiction police
station officers should have details of the whereabouts of drug
peddlers, but a document available with DNA shows that the Bangalore
police don't have the location details of even a single drug peddler.

"I don't understand why the court gives bail to drug peddlers even
after we arrest them repeatedly," wondered an investigating officer
from CCB. "It happens only in Bangalore. Courts in Mumbai and Delhi do
not grant bail so easily," reiterated another senior officer.

"We get the information about drug peddlers from informers, parents of
students, and those who have given up cocaine. In many cases, the
peddler would have been carrying on with the business for years. We
arrest and produce them in the court. But what is the use of all this
when they can walk away free," the officer added.
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