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Peshawar High Court Orders Mandatory Videography in Drug Seizure Cases to Curb False Accusations
Peshawar High Court mandates videography in drug seizure cases. Officers must record arrests; no video must be justified. A move to prevent false cases & ensure transparency.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-28
Peshawar High Court Orders Mandatory Videography in Drug Seizure Cases to Curb False Accusations

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has made videography mandatory in all drug seizure cases. The directive was issued through a nine-page written judgment authored by Acting Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah.

According to the court, law enforcement agencies involved in drug recovery operations must now record the entire process on video, ideally using the mobile phone of the investigating officer. The ruling underscores the need to strengthen the credibility of evidence and prevent wrongful arrests and fabricated cases.

“In the modern era, every second person has a smartphone — there is no excuse for not having a video,” the judgment stated.

Failure to Record Must Be Justified

The judgment further clarified that in any case where videography is absent, law enforcement must provide a valid and reasonable justification. Otherwise, the absence of video may cast doubt on the authenticity of the case.

The court observed that videographic evidence serves as strong and reliable support during trials and will help to deter false accusations against innocent individuals, a growing concern in narcotics-related prosecutions.

Legal and Social Impact

This directive is seen as a major judicial reform in criminal justice procedures concerning drug-related cases. It places a higher burden of transparency on police and anti-narcotics units, which have often faced public criticism for alleged abuse of power and manipulation of evidence.

Rights groups and legal experts have welcomed the decision, calling it a progressive step toward safeguarding citizens’ rights and promoting fairness in the judicial system.

The ruling sets a new precedent for future drug-related cases across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and may influence similar judicial reforms in other provinces.
Tagged:

PHC

JusticeReform

PeshawarHighCourt

DrugSeizure

VideographyInTrials
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