Bombay High Court Initiates Suo Motu PIL Over Drug Sales to Students, Appoints Amicus Curiae

The Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports revealing the sale of banned substances near educational institutions in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The bench comprising Justices Ravindra V. Ghuge and Y. G. Khobragade, initiated the action after reading investigative reports published in the Dainik Sakal newspaper on June 14 and 16, 2025. These reports alleged that a network of law offenders was operating openly in the city, selling drugs, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes to school and college students.

“What has been reported is that there are some law offenders who are running a business of selling banned items... targeting schools and colleges,” the court noted in its order dated June 20. It added that the consumption of such substances by students of an impressionable age was leading them down a destructive path of addiction.

"Young students of an impressionable age, are enticed into consumption of such drugs and cigarettes virtually opening the path towards addiction and their physical destruction," court observed.

Calling the revelations “disturbing,” the bench directed the Registrar (Judicial) of the High Court to formally register a Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation to address the issue. Recognizing the urgency and seriousness of the matter, the court appointed Senior Advocate P. R. Katneshwarkar as Amicus Curiae to assist in drafting and filing the PIL.

“We record our appreciation for the Press Reporters of Dainik Sakal, who have taken up this issue,” the judges said. They also emphasized the responsibility of the police department to act promptly, in the “true spirit of the department,” to prevent further harm and protect the public—especially children and youth.

Court granted liberty to the Amicus to circulate the PIL as soon as possible and ordered that the relevant news articles be placed on record for future proceedings.

Case Title: The Registrar (Judicial) High Court of Judicature of Bombay Bench at Aurangabad vs. The State of Maharashtra and Others

Download order here