Meghalaya High Court Orders State To Constitute Chief Secretary-Led Monitoring Committee To Tackle Drug And Substance Abuse, Oversee Victim Rehabilitation
Sanchayita Lahkar
The High Court of Meghalaya Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew directed the State Government to set up a Monitoring Committee to address drug and substance abuse in Meghalaya and to oversee rehabilitation measures for affected persons, with periodic review preferably every month. The Court said the committee will be chaired by the Chief Secretary and will include, among others, a psychologist, a qualified counsellor, and a senior advocate assisting the petitioner. In the same order, noting concerns about narcotics trafficking, including in Indo-Bangladesh border areas, it directed the Border Security Force and Customs authorities to file affidavits detailing steps taken to prevent such trafficking, and required the committee to submit a report on the next date.
In a public interest matter before the High Court of Meghalaya, the petitioner approached the Court against the Union of India and State authorities in relation to concerns about drug and substance abuse in the State. The Court took on record affidavits filed by the Joint Secretary and Director, Social Welfare Department, Meghalaya, and by the Home (Police) Department.
According to the Social Welfare Department’s affidavit, the State described steps stated to have been taken to address the drug menace and the rehabilitation of persons with drug dependence. The affidavit recorded a shortage of rehabilitation centres in rural areas and stated that a memorandum of understanding had been entered into with the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission. It also referred to a rehabilitation centre established at Laitkor with its assistance, inaugurated on 05.12.2025.
The affidavit further stated that the mission would undertake community outreach in West Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills, engaging community and faith leaders, NGOs and civil society organisations. It referred to a statewide survey, newly supported rehabilitation centres, and a training programme, with more than 2000 beneficiaries targeted under these initiatives.
Separately, it was noted that counsel for the Union of India stated that instructions had not been received and an affidavit had not been filed, while the Home (Police) Department’s report referred to illicit trafficking, including in Indo-Bangladesh border areas.
The Court further stated: “However, in respect of the other areas, it is essential that the State should take immediate steps, apart from the robust campaign against drug abuse and drug menace to establish rehabilitation centres by identifying areas.” It observed: “Any delay in establishing rehabilitation centres may only aggravate the situation.”
It recorded: “In addition to the aforesaid, the NGOs, the District Social Welfare officers and all the stakeholders may coordinate with the Secretaries of MSLSA and DLSAs for proper campaigning against the drug menace and drug abuse, and shall ensure wide public participation and awareness across Meghalaya, including the rural areas of the State.” It stated: “Mass awareness and preventive activities along with preventive intervention at frequent intervals, can only reduce the present alarming situation in the State and it should be the endeavour of all to make comprehensive plans and actions to do away with drug and substance abuse.”
The Court issued the following directives:
“The State shall constitute a Monitoring Committee to address the drug and substance abuse and rehabilitation of the victims, preferably, every month. The Monitoring Committee shall be chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya. The Monitoring Committee shall consist of one psychologist, a qualified counsellor and Mr. S.P. Mahanta, Sr.Adv, amongst others.”
“We request the Chief Secretary to constitute the Monitoring Committee to such other officers as may be necessary for the proper implementation of the various measures taken by the State government in this respect is left open to the Chief Secretary. This matter shall be listed on 02.03.2026.”
“Having regard to the facts earlier revealed and as revealed from the report filed today by the Home Police Department, disclosing that illicit trafficking is taking place amongst others in the Indo-Bangladesh border areas, we direct the Border Security Force and the Customs authorities to file affidavits with regard to the steps they have taken to prevent illicit trafficking of narcotics.”
“The Commissioner of Customs, Shillong and the Inspector General of BSF, Shillong, are directed to file such affidavits on or before 23.02.2026 upon prior service to Mr. D. Dkhar, Advocate assisting Mr. S.P. Mahanta, learned senior Advocate in this PIL.”
“Any affidavit in response to the reports as well as the affidavit to be filed by the BSF and the Customs authorities, may be filed by the applicant before the adjourned date. The Monitoring Committee to be constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya shall also file a report on the adjourned date.”
“Leave is given to the applicant to add the Commissioner of Customs, Shillong and the Inspector General of BSF, Shillong as party respondents in course of the day. “A copy of the writ petition shall be served upon the added respondents.”
“The State respondents are directed to serve copies of the reports and affidavits filed in this proceeding to the added respondents for their better understanding and to enable them to file a proper affidavit in this regard within one week from date.”
Advocates Representing the Parties
For the Petitioners: Mr. S. P. Mahanta, Sr.Adv with Mr. D. Dkhar, Adv
For the Respondents: Mr. K. Khan, AAG with Mr. A.H. Kharwanlang, Addl.Sr.GA; Mrs. S. Laloo, GA; Dr. N. Mozika, DSGI with Ms. K. Gurung, Adv
Case Title: Mewaker Lyngdoh vs. Union of India
Case Number: MC (PIL) No.7/2025
Bench: Chief Justice Soumen Sen; Justice H.S. Thangkhiew
