Ganja Case, Advocate, Forensic Expert Seek High Court Intervention

MANGALURU

A Senior Advocate, and a Forensic expert have asked the Karnataka High Court to take cognisance of the Ganja case that resulted in the arrest of several medical doctors and medical and dental students.
Advocate Manoraj Rajeeva, Vice-President of the Bar Association, and Forensic Expert Dr Mahabalesh Shetty, said that they would petition the High Court seeking its intervention. The duo want the Court to order an investigation either by a sitting High Court Judge or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), or, at the very least, take stock of what the probe conducted thus far into the case has unearthed. They said that this would help uncover the truth, and ensure people felt that justice had been delivered.
Expressing his doubts over the adequacy of the available material evidence to ensure conviction of drug peddlers and addicts, Rajeeva said, why have the Dakshina Kannada MP, and MLAs not intervened, despite the image of Mangaluru as an education hub, having taken a beating? This may yet have economic repercussions. Why has the state home department not taken cognisance of the case that affects the lives of many.
The Advocate also questioned the investigating agency's decision to book the drug addicts, and their subsequent incarceration. Why was Section 64A of the Narcotics, Drugs, and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act not invoked for the addicts? The Union Ministry of Social Justice is clear about having to reform drug addicts. This recommendation should have been followed in this case as well, said Rajeeva.
City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said it is subjudice to discuss lapse in investigation. The Advocate can express their apprehensions before the court, and we will submit all details through the public prosecutor, he said.