Sanjay Kishan Kaul, C.J. - (1.) THE affidavit of the Additional Secretary (Home), Chandigarh has been filed in Court annexing a letter dated 15.7.2014 of the CFSL, Chandigarh. The data given therein shows that approximately 20 cases under the NDPS Act are being received per month in the laboratory from the States under its jurisdiction and even to clear the pending cases the target is 31.12.2014. This would amount to saying that if a fresh case would come now, it would be processed in January, 2015, i.e., the hiatus period is of 4 -5 months instead of the statutory period of 15 days. It is also stated that upgradation of the lab by the concerned Ministry of Union of India is in process and once the upgradation, adequate man power and machinery is available, the lab will be able to prepare the final report within the statutory period of 15 days under the NDPS Act for Chandigarh. However, this may itself not suffice because the cases received are beyond Chandigarh.
(2.) ON our query as to when would the needful be done, learned Senior Standing Counsel states that Union of India is in a better position to answer this query. We accordingly implead Union of India through Ministry of Home Affairs as the fourth respondent.
(3.) MR . Brijeshwar Singh Kanwar, Sr. Standing Counsel for Union of India accepts notice.;