At 88%, Punjab’s conviction rate in drugs cases highest: AAP govt

Officials pointed out that the high conviction rate was the result of multiple systemic interventions. File

The state government claimed a conviction rate of up to 88 per cent in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases last year. According to official data, in 2025, the state witnessed 6,488 convictions in 7,373 cases. This year, 1,634 convictions have already been secured in the 1,831 cases decided so far, pushing the conviction rate to 89 per cent — the highest in the country.

Earlier, a total 3,870 convictions were secured out of 4812 cases decided by courts in 2022, reflecting a conviction rate of 80 per cent. This rose to 81 per cent in 2023, with 5,635 convictions in 6,976 cases, and further to 85 per cent in 2024 with 6,219 convictions in 7281.

Officials pointed out that the high conviction rate was the result of multiple systemic interventions, including structured and systematic training programmes, exposure of investigating officers to best practices, implementation of a detailed Standard Operating Procedure with a 60-point investigation checklist.

Advertisement A significant institutional collaboration has also been established with Rajeev Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, where all investigating officers undergo a mandatory six-day certification training