2005 (4) TMI 549 - SUPREME COURT

Whether the safeguards provided by Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 regarding search of any "person" would also apply to any bag, briefcase or any such article or container etc., which is being carried by him?

Held that:- As the High Court allowed the appeal on the finding that the report of the Chemical Examiner had to be excluded and that there was non-compliance of Section 50 of the Act. The learned Judges of this Court, who heard the appeal earlier, have recorded a unanimous opinion that the report of the Chemical Examiner was admissible in evidence and could not be excluded. In view of the discussion made earlier, Section 50 of the Act can have no application on the facts and circumstances of the present case as opium was allegedly recovered from the bag, which was being carried by the accused. The High Court did not examine the testimony of the witnesses and other evidence on merits. Accordingly, the matter has to be remitted back to the High Court for a fresh hearing of the appeal.

For Criminal Appeal No. 375 of 2003 the search of the attachi revealed 5 kgs. of opium. After conducting other formalities and investigation of the case, the accused was put up for trial. The learned Sessions Judge convicted the accused under Section 8/18 of the NDPS Act and sentenced him to 10 years RI and a fine of Rs.1 lakh. The High Court by a very cryptic judgment held that the provisions of Section 50 of the NDPS Act were not complied with as the accused was not informed of his right to be searched in presence of a Magistrate or a Gazetted Officer and accordingly allowed the appeal and set aside the conviction and sentence of the accused. Thus the view taken by the High Court cannot be sustained as it was a case of search of an attachi which was carried by the accused. The appeal is accordingly allowed and the judgment and order dated 5.10.2001 of the High Court is set aside. The matter is remitted back to the High Court for a fresh consideration.