The Belagavi Police have achieved a major milestone. Specifically, they reported their first preventive detention under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act, 1988. This action marks a significant step since the Commissionerate’s formation and signals a major escalation in the fight against drug crime in the city.
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Action Taken Against Habitual Offender
The police initiated the swift preventive action against Salim @ Andha Salim Kurumuddin Soudagar. Notably, Soudagar is a notorious, habitual narcotics offender whose activities have continually plagued the city’s neighborhoods. Despite numerous prior arrests and prosecutions, spanning several years, Salim allegedly persisted in the illegal drug trade. Therefore, authorities acted decisively, using this specialized law to prevent further offenses and protect the community.
Salim possesses an exceptionally long and serious criminal history, totaling 37 cases recorded across various police stations. For instance, his alarming record includes:
- 12 cases directly related to narcotics offenses, highlighting his sustained involvement in drug trafficking.
- 21 property offenses, demonstrating a continuous threat to public security and private assets.
- Multiple incidents of murder, attempt to murder, and even witness intimidation, suggesting a pattern of extreme violence and defiance of the legal system.
The persistent nature of these offenses is precisely why the Commissionerate invoked the specialized provisions of the PIT NDPS Act.
The Legal Framework and Significance
The Commissioner of Police, Belagavi City, formally approved the preventive detention order under Section 3(1) of the PIT NDPS Act. Consequently, the police executed the order on October 27, 2025, ensuring the accused was taken into custody immediately.
The PIT NDPS Act is a powerful legislative tool. In essence, it empowers law enforcement authorities to detain individuals who are consistently and habitually involved in drug trafficking for extended periods. The main purpose is to neutralize the threat these individuals pose by preventing them from committing further crimes that severely harm public health and safety.
The Commissioner clarified the law’s function. According to the Commissioner, the Act works similarly to the Goonda Act, which is used against habitual criminals, but its scope is specifically limited to dealing with repeat narcotics offenders. Thus, this first detention sends a strong, clear message to drug kingpins operating in the city. It underscores the Belagavi City Police’s firm commitment to using all available legal tools to curb the persistent drug trade and enhance public safety. Moreover, the successful application of this Act establishes a crucial legal precedent for future, aggressive enforcement actions against other repeat drug traffickers in the region.
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