PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has issued a landmark ruling, declaring that video recording must be mandatory during narcotics seizures carried out by law enforcement agencies.
According to the written judgment, all agencies involved in drug-related operations are now required to record video evidence at the time of seizure. If no video footage is provided, a valid and justifiable explanation must be given to the court.
The court noted that in today’s digital age, “almost every other person carries a smartphone,” and therefore, it is both practical and necessary for investigating officers to use their mobile phones to record narcotics seizures. This step is intended to ensure the availability of concrete and credible evidence.
The judgment further stated that video footage can serve as strong and reliable proof in drug-related cases and can also help prevent innocent individuals from being wrongfully implicated in minor narcotics offenses.
The ruling came during the hearing of a case in which the petitioner’s counsel argued that the FIR filed by Sarband Police claimed the presence of video evidence, but when asked to present it, the memory card was found to be empty. The lawyer added that the video was also missing from the investigating officer’s mobile phone.
The court emphasized that such negligence is unacceptable and underlined the importance of transparency and integrity in law enforcement procedures. This judgment is being hailed as a significant step toward reforming investigative practices and protecting the rights of accused individuals, particularly in a legal environment where false accusations in drug cases are not uncommon.
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