The Himachal Pradesh government has enacted a significant law that disqualifies individuals involved in drug trafficking, particularly those associated with chitta (heroin), from participating in the upcoming panchayat elections set for later this month.
According to this new legislation, anyone currently undergoing trial with charges framed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985 is barred from contesting in elections. Moreover, if a pradhan, up-pradhan, or ward member is charged with drug-related offenses while in office, they must resign immediately.
This decision follows the approval by Governor Kavinder Gupta of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, which establishes strict measures to prevent individuals implicated in heroin-related cases from running for panchayat positions.
Out of 3,758 Gram Panchayats, elections for approximately 3,754 will take place in three separate phases on May 26, May 28, and May 30.
Vivek Jyoti, the Additional Secretary (Law), informed The Indian Express, “Under this amendment, any individual facing charges under the NDPS Act, 1985, is not eligible to run for election. If a person is elected but later charged with drug trafficking, they will also be disqualified from their elected position.”
He clarified that an FIR under the NDPS Act alone does not render a person ineligible to contest the Gram Panchayat elections, noting the potential for wrongful accusations. Previously, only convicted individuals were barred from elections, but this new notification extends disqualification to those merely facing charges.
The notification specifies in Section 122-disqualification, “(1) A person shall be disqualified from being elected as an office bearer of a panchayat if they are under trial in a competent court that has taken cognizance and framed charges against them for offenses under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.” It further states, “(b) if they are disqualified by any law currently in force regarding elections to the state legislature.”
This bill was introduced during the Budget Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly and was approved after extensive discussions between both the ruling and opposition parties. The opposition expressed concerns that the amendment could be legally challenged since individuals cannot be presumed guilty until convicted in a court of law. Former Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla echoed similar apprehensions.
The law responds to the escalating issue of chitta within the state, with reports of drug-related incidents emerging daily. Government statistics reveal that from 2023 to January 31, 2026, at least 66 individuals have died due to drug overdoses in Himachal Pradesh. The data highlights a rising alarm regarding substance abuse, even as the government intensifies its enforcement and public awareness initiatives.
Among the reported deaths, eight occurred in 2023, followed by 31 in 2024 and 27 in 2025. No overdose fatalities were reported in January 2026. From January 2023 to January 2026, law enforcement arrested 5,563 individuals in connection with 6,246 drug-related cases, with 5,298 of those suspects having been granted bail by various courts.
In a related update, the Governor has also approved modifications to the quorum requirements for Gram Sabha meetings. The new regulation mandates that at least one-tenth (1/10) of the total registered voters in a Panchayat must be present to constitute a quorum. This change replaces the previous requirement of one-fourth of members, which often hindered the organization of meetings due to low attendance, thereby impacting the implementation of development projects at the Gram Panchayat level.
Saurabh Parashar serves as an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, focusing on coverage pertaining to Himachal Pradesh. With over 17 years of experience in print journalism, he specializes in crime, legal matters, and investigative reporting.
His educational background includes a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University, providing a strong foundation for his reporting on complex legal and administrative topics.
Prior to joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years at The Times of India. His primary reporting interests include the socio-political dynamics of Himachal Pradesh, with a focus on environmental issues, forest conservation, the drug crisis, tribal affairs, archaeology, and the unique governance challenges faced in mountainous regions.
Recent articles by him highlight critical intersections of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh, including investigations into the drug trade and environmental concerns related to local development projects.
