{
  "id": 19931081,
  "title": "Police fully empowered to curb drugs and substance abuse in the city: Kerala High Court",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/police-fully-empowered-to-curb-drugs-and-substance-abuse-in-the-city",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T06:27:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/police-fully-empowered-to-curb-drugs-and-substance-abuse-in-the-city-kerala-high-court/article71699531.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kerala High Court has ruled that the police are fully empowered to take all necessary measures to eliminate drug and substance abuse in the state. A division bench, led by Justices Devan Ramachandran and Basant Balaji, was considering an appeal filed by the government against an earlier order that restricted DJ parties and events at five-star hotels in Kochi city. The court emphasized that the police must maintain \"requisite vigil and attention\" to all activities related to drug and substance abuse, and that prohibition may not be the only solution. Instead, strict regulation is suggested. The court highlighted the police's role in maintaining peace in society, urging them to be seen as partners in daily life rather than adversaries. Additional Advocate General Muhammed Shah clarified that the notices issued by the police were not intended to restrict the operation of bars until 3 a.m., but only against \"uncontrolled parties\" where drugs and substances are openly used. The hotel, Radisson Blu, was responsible for screening guests and ensuring they were not carrying prohibited substances. The matter will be heard again on November 16.",
  "summary": "The court clarified that the directions issued by the Single Bench would not stand in the way of the police maintaining “requisite vigil and attention” to all activities about drug and substance abuse",
  "key_points": [
    "Kerala High Court rules police fully empowered to curb drugs and substance abuse.",
    "Police urged to maintain vigil and attention to all drug-related activities.",
    "Strict regulation suggested over prohibition as solution."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This ruling shifts the enforcement focus from blanket prohibitions on social events toward targeted regulation, granting law enforcement broader authority to monitor private gatherings for illicit substance use.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}