Deport those caught with less drugs: Bombay high court

The Bombay high court on Monday asked the Centre to consider deporting foreigners caught with non-commercial quantities of drug, observing that such cases add to the already burdened judicial system.

The court’s suggestions came while hearing petitions challenging the recent guidelines laid down by Bombay high court making it mandatory for an accused seeking bail to furnish names and addresses of three ‘blood relatives’ along with his/her application.

Bombay high court, under the Criminal Procedure Code, recently issued fresh guidelines through a circular. The judges stayed the guidelines until further orders.

They also asked additional solicitor general Darius Khambata to take instructions from the Centre on the issue of foreigners especially those booked under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act and languishing in prison for not being able to fulfill bail conditions.

“Is it not more efficacious to deport them rather than burden the system?” asked justice Marlapalle.

Khambata replied that India is in a “sea of drug-trafficking”. If deportation is allowed foreigners will think it is easy to come here and commit crimes. Marlapalle said, “Why should we look after him (accused)?”

Bombay high court issued notice to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa seeking their views and suggestions on the guidelines.