- By Shubham Bajpai
- Sat, 29 Mar 2025 03:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Friday, the last day of the budget session, passed the bill with strict provisions against drug traffickers. The bill provisions the death penalty for drug smugglers in the state.
Two bills were passed for the rehabilitation of people trapped in drug addiction. Among them, the Himachal Pradesh Organized Crime Prevention and Control Bill 2025 was passed by voice vote.
It provides for not only life imprisonment but also the death penalty for drug dealers. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu introduced it in the House on Wednesday.
On Friday, it was discussed and passed. It also provides for a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. With this, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state to make such a provision.
In response to the discussion on the bill, CM Sukhu said that the government is committed to implementing the law, highlighting its importance given the rising drug menace in the state.
CM Sukkhu added that it could also be amended in the future to make it more stringent as required. Earlier, BJP MLA Trilok Jamwal termed the bill a good initiative of the state government.
Provisions in Bill
The punishment will be given under the bill if anyone is found transporting, supplying, and possessing any drugs that can cause addiction.
Apart from curbing the drug trade, the Himachal Pradesh Organized Crime Prevention and Control Act also provides for punishments in case of illegal mining, wildlife smuggling, human trafficking, false documents, human organ smuggling, dumping of dangerous substances, and forgery of intellectual property.
The death penalty is also provided under the bill if any member of an organised crime syndicate or syndicate commits violence and causes the death of someone. The property acquired by the members of the syndicate through drugs or other illegal means will be confiscated. The government will have the power under the bill to seize such property.
One of the provisions of the bill extends the ban on the sale of tobacco or other intoxicating substances up to a 500-meter radius of educational institutions. Earlier, there was a ban on selling such substances within a radius of 100 meters.