The Kerala High Court has instructed the State and Union governments to submit their statements addressing the delays and unresolved issues regarding the establishment and operationalization of dedicated courts for cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
During hearings, the District Judiciary presented alarming statistics revealing that there are currently **8,422 NDPS cases** pending within the State. Among these, **Ernakulam** leads with **1,492 cases**, followed closely by **Thiruvananthapuram** with **1,245** and **Palakkad** with **1,055**. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice **Soumen Sen** and Justice **C. Jayachandran**, expressed significant concern regarding the ongoing delay by the State despite multiple directives issued since **January 2026**.
The court raised pointed inquiries regarding the State’s request for further time, highlighting that several extensions had already been granted. The court underscored that the State had committed to making the NDPS courts operational by **July 30** but failed to meet this deadline. Moreover, it indicated that contempt proceedings could be initiated against officials responsible for the procrastination.
Previously, the court had ordered the State to establish fully equipped NDPS courts in key locations including **Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad,** and **Manjeri** by January. Following these directives, the State has sanctioned the setup of these courts. Additionally, the court directed the State to explore financial assistance under the **Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2025-2026** via the Department of Expenditure within the Ministry of Finance, to facilitate the establishment of these Special Courts.
