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India Today
6 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Punjab Police to deploy GPS-enabled anklets to track drug smugglers out on bail
The Punjab Police is preparing to introduce GPS-enabled anklets to monitor drug kingpins and repeat offenders released on bail or parole, as part of the state government's 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (War Against Drugs) move aims to enable real-time surveillance and prevent absconding, marking a significant shift in the state's criminal justice enforcement through technology."We are also examining whether we can get GPS anklets for big drug smugglers once they are out on jail or parole. We are seeing its feasibility - keeping in view human rights. Bail cancellation of repeat offenders is also on the agenda. Any connivance of jail officials will not be tolerated," said Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav DGP Yadav cited Jammu and Kashmir as a precedent, where such anklets are already being used. In November 2023, J&K became the first region in India to equip accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) with GPS tracking devices. Currently, around 40 individuals are being monitored in the Union J&K deploys the technology for terror-related cases, Punjab intends to use it against major drug traffickers such as Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, who is presently lodged in an Assam GPS anklets - also known as electronic monitors or ankle shackles - are widely used to track individuals under parole, house arrest, or immigration surveillance. The waterproof devices offer round-the-clock location tracking and are equipped with tamper Punjab, Station House Officers (SHOs) have been directed to obtain court approval for the deployment of these devices. A supporting legal framework is currently being part of the crackdown, multiple FIRs have been registered and numerous arrests made. Several hawala networks associated with drug smuggling have also been efforts toward de-addiction, DGP Yadav said that 5,786 individuals have been admitted to de-addiction centres across the state. To curb cross-border drug trafficking, nine new anti-drone systems have been procured."Meanwhile, leading the war on de-addiction, one police officer will adopt a drug addict - to ensure he is on the path to recovery. This will be purely voluntary," the DGP further noted that the anti-drug campaign will continue beyond the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government's May 31 deadline for achieving a drug-free opposition parties have criticised the state government, accusing the AAP of failing to fulfill its promise of a drug-free state. However, the DGP maintained that the situation has improved, with a noticeable decline in drug availability across Punjab.
Deccan Herald
7 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Punjab Police plans GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers out on bail
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav cited the example of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which uses the wearable device for UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) accused to monitor them.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Drug smugglers out on bail in Punjab set to be tracked through GPS-enabled anklets
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab police are planning to introduce GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers out on bail to track their movements, taking a cue from their counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir where Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) accused are monitored with these devices. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said here on Saturday, "In Jammu and Kashmir, GPS tracking anklets were started for UAPA accused who are bailed out. We are examining the proposal from a legal point of view. When an accused is released on bail, there are some conditions. After taking orders from competent courts, GPS anklets will be put on notorious smugglers out on bail to track their movements." He said it will be done on a case-by-case basis and the right to privacy will be kept in mind. Yadav said the police would also focus on drug users who have been released on bail. "We have devised a system of monitoring their activities by taking village elders and panchayats into confidence. Our objective is to integrate them into the mainstream. They (drug users) will be motivated to go to OAAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) clinics and drug de-addiction centres," he said. The station house officers will call such people to police stations, and a self-declaration will be taken from them that they will neither consume drugs nor peddle them, he said. However, he said police will take action against repeat offenders. Yadav said artificial intelligence software will be developed to upload information regarding arrested drug smugglers in districts into centralised data for forward and backwards linkages. He further said de-addiction centres will be started in jails for drug users who are put behind bars. Replying to a question on deploying an anti-drone system to check smuggling of drugs and weapons, Yadav said the order for the system has been placed and it is expected to be delivered by August.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab Police plans GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers out on bail
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Punjab Police is planning to introduce GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers out on bail to track their movements, the state's top cop said on General of Police Gaurav Yadav cited the example of the Jammu and Kashmir Police , which uses the wearable device for UAPA ( Unlawful Activities Prevention Act ) accused to monitor the media here, Yadav said, "In J&K, GPS tracking anklets were started for UAPA persons who are bailed out. We are examining the proposal from a legal point of view."When an accused is released on bail, there are some conditions, Yadav said, adding that after taking orders from competent courts, GPS anklets will be put on notorious smugglers out on bail to track their said it will be done on a case-by-case basis, and the right to privacy will be kept in DGP asserted that small-time drug users should not be targeted and instead be sent to drug de-addiction said the police would also focus on such drug users who have been released on bail."We have devised a system of monitoring their activities by taking village elders and panchayats into confidence. Our objective is to integrate these into the mainstream. They (drug users) will be motivated to go to OAAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) clinics and drug de-addiction centres," he station house officers will call such people to police stations, and a self-declaration will be taken from them that they will neither consume drugs nor peddle them, said the he said police will take action against repeat DGP said an artificial intelligence software will be developed to upload information regarding arrested drug smugglers in districts into centralised data for forward and backwards further said drug de-addiction centres will be started in jails for drug users, who are put behind to a question on deploying an anti-drone system to check smuggling of drugs and weapons, Yadav said the order for the system has been placed, and they are expected to be delivered by July and August. PTI
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Gyanvapi case judge seeks enhanced security
Lucknow: Additional District and Sessions Judge (FTC-New) and Special Judge (Gangsters Act) in Chitrakoot, Ravi Kumar, has written to the authorities seeking enhanced residential security, citing serious threats to his life stemming from his role in the sensitive Gyanvapi case. In a formal letter dated May 29, Judge Kumar stated that he was allotted govt accommodation at House No. J-9, Judges Colony, Sonepur, Karwi, Chitrakoot, where he resides with his family. He pointed out that although he was provided with residential security during his time in Bareilly and after the Gyanvapi hearings, no such arrangements have been made for him in Chitrakoot. He referenced two prior threats — one registered in 2024 by the ATS Lucknow against a Bhopal resident under BNS and UAPA provisions, and another in 2022 in Varanasi, both involving threats to his life related to the Gyanvapi case. The judge said he has been raising the issue with the Reserve Inspector, Police Lines, but in vain. However, Superintendent of Police, Chitrakoot, Arun Kumar Singh, stated that adequate security has already been provided. "A total of six personnel has been deployed for judge Ravi Kumar's security," he told TOI. "He has not produced any specific order from the high court or the govt directing an increase in security. Nevertheless, we are taking all necessary precautions." Judge Kumar highlighted in his letter that his current posting in Chitrakoot, a district bordering Madhya Pradesh, heightens his security vulnerability. He has urged authorities to provide the same level of protection he previously received, cautioning that "failure to do so could lead to a serious incident".
