Meghalaya HC orders fresh NDPS data on drug cases in Shillong's Police Bazar
Synopsis
The Meghalaya High Court has put the state government on notice for a second time, demanding fresh and locality-specific NDPS case data for Shillong's Police Bazar — a busy market hub where a PIL alleges drug peddling remains unchecked despite earlier enforcement claims. The next hearing on 3 August will test whether the state's numbers match the ground reality.
Key Takeaways
The Meghalaya High Court directed the state to submit updated NDPS Act case data specifically for Police Bazar , Shillong .
The order was passed by Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W.
Diengdoh on 7 July 2025 .
The PIL was filed by Mewaker Lyngdoh against the Union of India and others over alleged drug peddling in the locality.
The state had earlier filed an affidavit covering NDPS cases from 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2026 in compliance with a 8 June 2025 order.
The court has listed the matter for further hearing on 3 August 2025 , by which date a fresh affidavit must be filed.
The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to submit updated case data under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for Shillong, with specific focus on the Police Bazar area — the city's principal commercial hub — after a public interest litigation flagged persistent drug peddling concerns in the locality. The order was passed on Tuesday, 7 July 2025.
Background and PIL Details
The direction came from a division bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh, while hearing a PIL filed by Mewaker Lyngdoh against the Union of India and others. The litigation centres on the alleged prevalence of drug trafficking and peddling in and around the busy Police Bazar locality, raising concerns about enforcement gaps in one of Shillong's most frequented public spaces.
What the State Government Submitted
Additional Advocate General K. Khan placed on record an affidavit on behalf of the Meghalaya government, filed in compliance with the court's earlier order dated 8 June 2025. The affidavit outlined anti-narcotics measures undertaken by the state and furnished a tabulated account of NDPS cases registered between 1 January 2025 and 31 March 2026. It also detailed the disposal of narcotic substances seized by various enforcement agencies and subsequently handed over to the Meghalaya Police. A copy of the affidavit was furnished to senior advocate S.P. Mahanta, appearing for the petitioner.
Petitioner's Concerns
The petitioner's counsel argued before the bench that drug trafficking and peddling continue to pose a serious threat in and around Police Bazar, urging the court to mandate stronger enforcement measures to curb the illegal trade. The counsel's submissions underscored that existing steps have not been sufficient to address the ground-level situation in the market area, which draws large footfall daily.
Court's Direction and Next Date
The state's counsel sought additional time, informing the bench that the government would compile and present fresh NDPS case data from January 2025 to the present, specifically relating to the Police Bazar locality. The High Court accepted the request, granting the state government time to file an additional affidavit containing the updated figures. The matter has been listed for further hearing on 3 August 2025. This is the second compliance affidavit the state has been asked to produce in the course of these proceedings, reflecting the court's continued scrutiny of drug enforcement in the region.
Point of View
Aggregated compliance reports that can obscure hotspot-level failures. Drug enforcement in Shillong's commercial core is a long-standing concern, and the PIL's persistence suggests that affidavits listing measures taken have not translated into visible change on the ground. The August 3 hearing will be a test of whether the state can produce granular, verifiable data or will again offer aggregate figures that satisfy the letter of the order but not its intent.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Meghalaya High Court order regarding drug cases in Shillong?
The Meghalaya High Court directed the state government to file a fresh affidavit with updated NDPS case data specifically for the Police Bazar area in Shillong. The order was passed on 7 July 2025, with the next hearing scheduled for 3 August 2025.
What is the PIL about and who filed it?
The PIL was filed by Mewaker Lyngdoh against the Union of India and others, raising concerns about the alleged prevalence of drug trafficking and peddling in and around Police Bazar, one of Shillong's busiest commercial areas. The petitioner's counsel argued that drug peddling continues despite enforcement measures.
What data did the Meghalaya government already submit to the court?
The state government submitted an affidavit through Additional Advocate General K. Khan, covering NDPS cases registered between 1 January 2025 and 31 March 2026, along with details of narcotic substances seized and disposed of by enforcement agencies and the Meghalaya Police.
Why did the court ask for additional data?
The petitioner's counsel argued that drug trafficking remains a serious concern in Police Bazar despite the state's earlier submissions. The court found it necessary to have fresh, locality-specific figures from January 2025 to the present to assess the current enforcement situation more accurately.
When is the next hearing in this case?
The Meghalaya High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on 3 August 2025, by which date the state government must file an additional affidavit containing updated NDPS case data for the Police Bazar locality.
