The apex court also asked the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to inform it about the progress in setting up de-addiction centers for rehabilitation of drug addicts.
A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur asked the Centre's counsel to take instructions from the departments concerned and apprise it within six weeks.
(REOPENS LGD5)
Though the PIL raised several issues, the bench dwelt on two points: safe custody of the seized narcotics and steps taken for setting up of rehabilitation centres.
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Among other issues, the PIL sought intensified patrolling on the borders by armed forces so that smuggling of drugs can be checked and restricted efficiently.
The petitioner also sought amendment in laws relating to drug smuggling and said death sentence needs to be introduced in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for repeat offenders of drug trafficking.
The petitioner alleged the central and state governments have miserably failed in controlling the rising menace as no strict actions are being taken to check and prevent drug peddling, trafficking and addictions.
The PIL, which sought direction issued to Centre, state governments, Defence Ministry, Home Ministry, and Police Department claimed that with a turnover of around USD 500 billion, drug is the third largest business in the world, after petroleum and arms trade.