Belagavi police have reported its first preventive detention under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act, 1988, since the formation of the Commissionerate.
The action was initiated against the accused Salim Kurumuddin Soudagar, who is a habitual narcotics offender and also has had cases registered against him in Goa.
Soudagar has allegedly been involved in a total of 37 cases in Belagavi region, including 12 related to narcotics, 21 property offences, and incidents of murder, attempt to murder and witness intimidation.
Despite multiple arrests and prosecutions, Salim allegedly continued to engage in the illegal drug trade including some interstate cases.
Acting on this continued pattern, Belagavi Commissioner of Police Bhushan Borase approved preventive detention under Section 3(1) of the PIT NDPS Act, which allows authorities to detain habitual narcotics offenders to prevent further trafficking. Accordingly, the detention order was executed on October 27.
Borase said this is the first detention under the PIT NDPS Act since the Commissionerate’s establishment.
“The act functions in a manner similar to the Goonda Act, but is specifically meant to deal with repeat narcotics offenders. The offender has some cases in Goa too and the Belagavi police is in touch with Goa police in this regard,” he said.
The Prevention of Illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act, 1988 empowers authorities to detain individuals habitually involved in drug trafficking to prevent further offences.
