Shimla, Dec. 12 -- The Himachal Pradesh high court has rejected the bail plea of a habitual offender facing multiple cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, observing that his release would be "a bane for the society" amid the state's escalating drug crisis,

"This country, especially the state of Himachal Pradesh is dealing with drug menace, with a majority of its youth in the clutches of drug mafia. The parents of the children in the state are no more worried about the careers of their children, rather they are more worried about their children getting into drugs. Drug menace and its ancillary effects have become a national crisis in the country," said the order of Justice Sandeep Sharma while dismissing t...