MOHAMMAD RAFIQ,J. - (1.) This Court vide order dated 13.05.2016 took suo motu cognizance of the fact that large number of children residing in Dargah Area of Ajmer have become drug addicts. Many of them were lodged in Children Home at Ajmer in a pathetic condition. When they were brought to normal life and handed over to their parents through Child Welfare Committee, most of the children again started operating in the same area. Due to habit of drug and cost to be paid for it, they were involved in criminal activities such as pick pocketing, chain snatching, theft etc. Superintendent of Police, Ajmer was directed to apprise the Court as to what steps have been taken to rescue the children and catch hold of the drug suppliers in the area.
(2.) On 01.08.2016, this Court taking note of the fact mentioned in the report submitted by the respondents that 66 such children have been identified, who were taking drugs and have become drug addicts, directed District Collector, Ajmer, Superintendent of Police Ajmer and Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Ajmer to hold a joint meeting and suggest remedial measures. When the matter was listed before the Court on 18.11.2016, again a direction was issued to the State to come out with a policy for the complete State and if any such policy had been framed in the past, then to place the same on record and also apprise the Court as to what steps have been taken to nab the culprits operating near the schools, colleges, coaching classes and other places, who are involved in supplying drugs to young people moving around.
(3.) Though the matter was listed on several occasions thereafter, but was adjourned on the request of the State counsel. On 30.10.2017, this Court again directed State of Rajathan to file comprehensive report giving information as to how many Drug De-Addiction Centres have been established in the State of Rajasthan and how many of the drug addicts have been treated in such Centres. In particular, it was directed to be informed as to in what manner issue of de-addiction of juveniles is being addressed to. On 11.04.2018, this Court noted submissions made by Superintendent of Police, Ajmer that as per studies, maximum number of drug addicts are found in Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), and then in Ajmer (Rajasthan) and thereafter in Goa. Second highest number of drug addicts in the country was thus recorded in Ajmer. This Court taking note of the fact that most of them are children, who are taking drugs and getting involved in variety of crimes, observed that while on one hand, Drug De-Addiction Centres are required to be established, on the other hand, serious action is required to be taken against suppliers of drugs. This Court directed that the process aforesaid be undertaken so that Ajmer may get a Drug De-Addiction Centre because many children caught by the police involved in drugs were left free as they could not be sent to De-Addiction Centre. Superintendent of Police, Ajmer was directed to take immediate steps to register cases against the drug suppliers and at the first instance, in Dargah Area and then in Pushkar City.;