A WARNING BELL TO SOCIETY

 Since corona started, there is also a trend of increase in cases in the consumption of drugs. The film industry is said to be a hub of drugs. Is it that, its consumption started due to corona? The answer is No. It was always there, butfew decades back,  maybe the social set-up was such youngsters were taught by elders, grand parents and parents to stay away from drugs, cigarettes, and wine. The three “W” s which is the epic centre of crime. “ Wine, Woman and Wealth”. But it was present consistently. There are many reasons for becoming a drug addict. The first is psychological.  To venture something new , another is curiosity, mostly a teenager try during college if got friends with such people,  to rich person kids, its necessary to stand in the competition, you need to show that as a star or a star kid one is very bold and smart,  if you want to survive in the profession. There is also a syndicate working to get students addicted, and, if NDPS seizes huge consignment of drugs and seizes drugs of different persons in possession of drugs and also prominent persons with different kinds of drugs entire syndicate comes in defence, BUT, it’s a warning bell for society. Today if you protect the druggies tomorrow it may hound you and this problem may knock on your doors too. Those who get one addicted, also use them for Drugs and its easy for them to exploit for commission of crime. For which we need to know the law and consequences. This blog is an attempt to explain different cases in very simple language which a layman can understand.

WHY LAW OF NDPS?

In Durand Didier v. Chief Secy., Union Territory of Goa [(1990) 1 SCC 95)] as under: “24. With deep concern, we may point out that the organised activities of the underworld and the clandestine smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into this country and illegal trafficking in such drugs and substances have led to drug addiction among a sizeable section of the public, particularly the adolescents and students of both sexes and the menace has assumed serious and alarming proportions in the recent years. Therefore, in order to effectively control and eradicate this proliferating and booming devastating menace, causing deleterious effects and deadly impact on the society as a whole, Parliament in its wisdom, has made effective provisions by introducing this Act 81 of 1985 specifying mandatory minimum imprisonment and fine. 8. To check the menace of dangerous drugs flooding the market, Parliament has provided that the person accused of offences under the NDPS Act should not be released on bail during trial unless the mandatory conditions provided in Section 37”

In Union of India Vs. Ram Samujh and Ors. 1999(9) SCC 429, it has been elaborated as under:­ “7. It is to be borne in mind that the aforesaid legislative mandate is required to be adhered to and followed. It should be borne in mind that in a murder case, the accused commits the murder of one or two persons, while those persons who are dealing in narcotic drugs are instrumental in causing death or in inflicting death­blow to a number of innocent young victims, who are vulnerable; it causes deleterious effects and a deadly impact on the society; they are a hazard to the society; even if they are released temporarily, in all probability, they would continue their nefarious activities of trafficking and/or dealing in intoxicants clandestinely. The reason may be large stake and illegal profit involved.”

 THE NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, ACT, 1985 means in short ( NDPS) [entire Act link https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1727139/ ]

Who is an addict? “addict” means a person who has a dependence on any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. 1 [ Subs. by Act 9 of 2001, s. 3, for clause (i) (w.e.f. 2-10-2001).]

What are drugs? (iii) “cannabis (hemp)” means— (a) charas, that is, the separated resin, in whatever form, whether crude or purified, obtained from the cannabis plant and also includes concentrated preparation and resin known as hashish oil or liquid hashish; (b) ganja, that is, the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant (excluding the seeds and leaves when not accompanied by the tops), by whatever name they may be known or designated; and (c) any mixture, with or without any neutral material, of any of the above forms of cannabis or any drink prepared therefrom;

(iv) “cannabis plant” means any plant of the genus cannabis;

(iv) “cannabis plant” means any plant of the genus cannabis;

(v) “coca derivative” means— (a) crude cocaine, that is, any extract of coca leaf which can be used, directly or indirectly, for the manufacture of cocaine; (b) ecgonine and all the derivatives of ecgonine from which it can be recovered; (c) cocaine, that is, methyl ester of benzoyl-ecgonine and its salts; and (d) all preparations containing more than 0.1 per cent. of cocaine;

(vi) “coca leaf” means— (a) the leaf of the coca plant except a leaf from which all ecgonine, cocaine and any other ecgonine alkaloids have been removed; (b) any mixture thereof with or without any neutral material, but does not include any preparation containing not more than 0.1 per cent. of cocaine;

 (vii) “coca plant” means the plant of any species of the genus Frythroxylon;

2[(viia) “commercial quantity”, in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, means any quantity greater than the quantity specified by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette; (viib) “controlled delivery” means the technique of allowing illicit or suspect consignments of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, controlled substances or substances substituted for them to pass out of, or through or into the territory of India with the knowledge and under the supervision of an officer empowered in this behalf or duly authorised under section 50A with a view to identifying the persons involved in the commission of an offence under this Act;

(viic) “corresponding law” means any law corresponding to the provisions of this Act;] 3

[ 4 [(viid)] “controlled substance” means any substance which the Central Government may, having regard to the available information as to its possible use in the production or manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or to the provisions of any International Convention, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be a controlled substance;]

(viii) “conveyance” means a conveyance of any description whatsoever and includes any aircraft, vehicle or vessel;

1 [(viiia) “essential narcotic drug” means a narcotic drug notified by the Central Government for medical and scientific use;] 3

[ 5 [(viiib)] “illicit traffic”, in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, means— (i) cultivating any coca plant or gathering any portion of coca plant; (ii) cultivating the opium poppy or any cannabis plant; (iii) engaging in the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, warehousing, concealment, use or consumption, import inter-State, export inter-State, import into India, export from India or transshipment, of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances;

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[  1. Ins. by Act 16 of 2014, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-5-2014). 2. Ins. by Act 9 of 2001, s. 3 (w.e.f. 2-10-2001). 3. Ins. by Act 2 of 1989, s. 3 (w.e.f. 29-5-1989). 4. Clause (viia) relettered as clause (viid) thereof by Act 9 of 2001, s. 3 (w.e.f. 2-10-2001). 5. Clause (viiia) re-lettered as clause (viiib) thereof by Act 16 of 2014, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-5-2014).]

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2 [(viia) “commercial quantity”, in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, means any quantity greater than the quantity specified by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette; [2. Ins. by Act 9 of 2001, s. 3 (w.e.f. 2-10-2001).]

1 [(xxiiia) “small quantity”, in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, means any quantity lesser than the quantity specified by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette;] [1. Ins. by Act 9 of 2001, s. 3 (w.e.f. 2-10-2001).]

CHAPTER III  of NDPS Act provides for prohibition, control and regulation of narcotics.

Section.8. Prohibition of certain operations.—No person shall— (a) cultivate any coca plant or gather any portion of coca plant; or (b) cultivate the opium poppy or any cannabis plant; or (c) produce, manufacture, possess, sell, purchase, transport, warehouse, use, consume, import inter-State, export inter-State, import into India, export from India or tranship any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance, except for medical or scientific purposes and in the manner and to the extent provided by the provisions of this Act or the rules or orders made thereunder and in a case where any such provision, imposes any requirement by way of licence, permit or authorisation also in accordance with the terms and conditions of such licence, permit or authorisation: Provided that, and subject to the other provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, the prohibition against the cultivation of the cannabis plant for the production of ganja or the production, possession, use, consumption, purchase, sale, transport, warehousing, import inter-State and export inter-State of ganja for any purpose other than medical and scientific purpose shall take effect only from the date which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf: 1 [Provided further that nothing in this section shall apply to the export of poppy straw for decorative purposes.] 2 [8A. Prohibition of certain activities relating to property derived from offence.—No person shall— (a) convert or transfer any property knowing that such property is derived from an offence committed under this Act or under any other corresponding law of any other country or from an act of participation in such offence, for the purpose of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the property or to assist any person in the commission of an offence or to evade the legal consequences; or (b) conceal or disguise the true nature, source, location, disposition of any property knowing that such property is derived from an offence committed under this Act or under any other corresponding law of any other country; or (c) knowingly acquire, possess or use any property which was derived from an offence committed under this Act or under any other corresponding law of any other country.]

  1. by Act 2 of 1989, s. 5 (w.e.f. 29-5-1989). 2. Ins. by Act 9 of 2001, s. 5 (w.e.f. 2-10-2001). 3. Ins. by Act 16 of 2014, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-5-2014)

Under NDPS government regulates the supply, production sales etc of narcotics. Its provided in Section9 of the Act. For this write-up we are concerned with possession of narco substance. This is in Section 9 (2) (ha) 1 [(ha) prescribe the forms and conditions of licenses or permits for the manufacture, possession, transport, import inter-State, export inter-State, sale, purchase, consumption or use of essential narcotic drugs, the authorities by which such licence or permit may be granted and the fees that may be charged therefor;] which was inserted . by Act 16 of 2014, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-5-2014).

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

Chapter IV sections 15 to 40 of the NDPS provides for punishment.

Any offence is punishable with minimum 2 years and maximum 10 years imprisonment. For regular offenders, there is also provisions of the death sentence.

It means that this crime is heinous and it kills society, youngsters silently just like cancer or corona. It’s not visible but it is present amongst us.

COURT JURISDICTION

2 [36A. Offences triable by Special Courts.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974),— [2. Subs. by Act 9 of 2001, s. 15, for section 36A (w.e.f. 2-10-2001).]

PROVISIONS OF BAIL AND JAIL : POWERS OF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE AND NDPS COURTS

Before proceeding further, it is necessary to refer to the relevant provisions of law. NDPS Act:

36A. Offences triable by Special Courts.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974),

(a) all offences under this Act which are punishable with imprisonment for a term of more than three years shall be triable only by the Special Court constituted for the area in which the offence has been committed or where there are more Special Courts than one for such area, by such one of them as may be specified in this behalf by the Government;

(b) where a person accused of or suspected of the commission of an offence under this Act is forwarded to a Magistrate under sub-section (2) or sub- section (2A) of section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), such Magistrate may authorise the detention of such person in such custody as he thinks fit for a period not exceeding fifteen days in the whole where such Magistrate is a Judicial Magistrate and seven days in the whole where such Magistrate is an Executive Magistrate:

Provided that in cases which are triable by the Special Court where such Magistrate considers

(i) when such person is forwarded to him as aforesaid; or

(ii) upon or at any time before the expiry of the period of detention authorised by him, that the detention of such person is unnecessary, he shall order such person to be forwarded to the Special Court having jurisdiction;

(c) the Special Court may exercise, in relation to the person forwarded to it under clause (b), the same power which a Magistrate having jurisdiction to try a case may exercise under section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), in relation to an accused person in such case who has been forwarded to him under that section;

(d) a Special Court may, upon perusal of police report of the facts constituting an offence under this Act or upon complaint made by an officer of the Central Government or a State Government authorised in his behalf, take cognizance of that offence without the accused being committed to it for trial.

(2) When trying an offence under this Act, a Special Court may also try an offence other than an offence under this Act with which the accused may, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), be charged at the same trial.

(3) Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to affect the special powers of the High Court regarding bail under section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), and the High Court may exercise such powers including the power under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of that section as if the reference to “Magistrate” in that section included also a reference to a “Special Court” constituted under section 36.

(4) In respect of persons accused of an offence punishable under section 19 or section 24 or section 27A or for offences involving commercial quantity the references in sub-section (2) of section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), thereof to “ninety days”, where they occur, shall be construed as reference to “one hundred and eighty days”:

Provided that, if it is not possible to complete the investigation within the said period of one hundred and eighty days, the Special Court may extend the said period up to one year on the report of the Public Prosecutor indicating the progress of the investigation and the specific reasons for the detention of the accused beyond the said period of one hundred and eighty days.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the offences punishable under this Act with imprisonment for a term of not more than three years may be tried summarily.]

36B. Appeal and revision. The High Court may exercise, so far as may be applicable, all the powers conferred by Chapters XXIX and XXX of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), on a High Court, as if a Special Court within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the High Court were a Court of Session trying cases within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the High Court.

36C. Application of Code to proceedings before a Special Court: Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) (including the provisions as to bail and bonds) shall apply to the proceedings before a Special Court and for the purposes of the said provisions, the Special Court shall be deemed to be a Court of Session and the person conducting a prosecution before a Special Court, shall be deemed to be a Public Prosecutor.

36D. Transitional provisions.

(1) Any offence committed under this Act on or after the commencement of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 1988 (2 of 1989), which is triable by a Special Court shall, until a Special Court is constituted under section 36, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), be tried by a Court of Session. (2) Where any proceedings in relation to any offence committed under this Act on or after the commencement of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 1988 (2 of 1989), are pending before a Court of Session, then, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), such proceeding shall be heard and disposed of by the Court of Session: Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall affect the power of the High Court under section 407 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) to transfer any case or class of cases taken cognizance by a Court of Session under sub-section (1).

  1. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)

(a) every offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable;

(b) no person accused of an offence punishable for offences under section 19 or section 24 or section 27A and also for offences involving commercial quantity shall be released on bail or on his own bond unless

(i) the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release, and

(ii) where the Public Prosecutor opposes the application, the court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.

(2) The limitations on granting of bail specified in clause (b) of sub-section (1) are in addition to the limitations under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or any other law for the time being in force, on granting of bail.

CrPC: Sections 4, 5, 26 and 167:

4. Trial of offences under the Indian Penal Code and other laws. (1) All offences under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860 ) shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the provisions hereinafter contained.

(2) All offences under any other law shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the same provisions, but subject to any enactment for the time being in force regulating the manner or place of investigating, inquiring into, trying or otherwise dealing with such offences.

5. Saving: Nothing contained in this Code shall, in the absence of a specific provision to the contrary, affect any special or local law for the time being in force, or any special jurisdiction or power conferred, or any special form of procedure prescribed, by any other law for the time being in force.

Courts by which offences are triable. Subject to the other provisions of this Code,-

(a) any offence under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860 ), may be tried by-

(i) the High Court, or

(ii) the Court of Session, or

(iii) any other Court by which such offence is shown in the First Schedule to be triable;

Provided that any offence under section 376, section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D or section 376E of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) shall be tried as far as practicable by a Court presided over by a woman.

(b) any offence under any other law shall, when any Court is mentioned in this behalf in such law, be tried by such Court and when no Court is so mentioned, may be tried by-

(i) the High Court, or

(ii) any other Court by which such offence is shown in the First Schedule to be triable.

  1. Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in twenty four hours.

(1) Whenever any person is arrested and detained in custody, and it appears that the investigation cannot be completed within the period of twenty- four hours fixed by section 57, and there are grounds for believing that the accusation or information is well- founded, the officer in charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation, if he is not below the rank of sub- inspector, shall forthwith transmit to the nearest Judicial Magistrate a copy of the entries in the diary hereinafter prescribed relating to the case, and shall at the same time forward the accused to such Magistrate.

(2) The Magistrate to whom an accused person is forwarded under this section may, whether he has or has not jurisdiction to try the case, from time to time, authorise the detention of the accused in such custody as such Magistrate thinks fit, for a term not exceeding fifteen days in the whole; and if he has no jurisdiction to try the case or commit it for trial, and considers further detention unnecessary, he may order the accused to be forwarded to a Magistrate having such jurisdiction:

Provided that- (a) the Magistrate may authorise the detention of the accused person, otherwise than in the custody of the police, beyond the period of fifteen days; if he is satisfied that adequate grounds exist for doing so, but no Magistrate shall authorise the detention of the accused person in custody under this paragraph for a total period exceeding,-

(i) ninety days, where the investigation relates to an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years;

(ii) sixty days, where the investigation relates to any other offence, and, on the expiry of the said period of ninety days, or sixty days, as the case may be, the accused person shall be released on bail if he is prepared to and does furnish bail, and every person released on bail under this sub- section shall be deemed to be so released under the provisions of Chapter XXXIII for the purposes of that Chapter;

(b) no Magistrate shall authorise detention of the accused in custody of the police under this section unless the accused is produced before him in person for the first time and subsequently every time till the accused remains in the custody of the police, but the Magistrate may extend further detention in judicial custody on production of the accused either in person or through the medium of electronic video linkage;

(c) no Magistrate of the second class, not specially empowered in this behalf by the High Court, shall authorise detention in the custody of the police. Explanation I.- For the avoidance of doubts, it is hereby declared that, notwithstanding the expiry of the period specified in paragraph (a), the accused shall be detained in custody so long as he does not furnish bail; Explanation II.- If any question arises whether an accused person was produced before the Magistrate as required under clause (b), the production of the accused person may be proved by his signature on the order authorising detention or by the order certified by the Magistrate as to production of the accused person through the medium of electronic video linkage, as the case may be.

(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub- section (1) or sub- section (2), the officer in charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation, if he is not below the rank of a sub- inspector, may, where a Judicial Magistrate is not available, transmit to the nearest Executive Magistrate, on whom the powers of a Judicial Magistrate or Metropolitan Magistrate have been conferred, a copy of the entry in the diary hereinafter prescribed relating to the case, and shall, at the same time, forward the accused to such Executive Magistrate, and thereupon such Executive Magistrate, may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, authorise the detention of the accused person in such custody as he may think fit for a term not exceeding seven days in the aggregate; and, on the expiry of the period of detention so authorised, the accused person shall be released on bail except where an order for further detention of the accused person has been made by a Magistrate competent to make such order; and, where an order for such further detention is made, the period during which the accused person was detained in custody under the orders made by an Executive Magistrate under this sub- section shall be taken into account in computing the period specified in paragraph (a) of the proviso to sub- section (2):

Provided that before the expiry of the period aforesaid, the Executive Magistrate shall transmit to the nearest Judicial Magistrate the records of the case together with a copy of the entries in the diary relating to the case which was transmitted to him by the officer in charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation, as the case may be. (3) A Magistrate authorising under this section detention in the custody of the police shall record his reasons for so doing.

(4) Any Magistrate other than the Chief Judicial Magistrate making such order shall forward a copy of his order, with his reasons for making it, to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

(5) If in any case triable by a Magistrate as a summons- case, the investigation is not concluded within a period of six months from the date on which the accused was arrested, the Magistrate shall make an order stopping further investigation into the offence unless the officer making the investigation satisfies the Magistrate that for special reasons, and in the interests of justice the continuation of the investigation beyond the period of six months is necessary.

(6) Where any order stopping further investigation into an offence has been made under sub- section (5), the Sessions Judge may, if he is satisfied, on an application made to him or otherwise, that further investigation into the offence ought to be made, vacate the order made under sub- section (5) and direct further investigation to be made into the offence subject to such directions with regard to bail and other matters as he may specify.

When bail can be granted

2 [37. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974),— (a) every offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable; (b) no person accused of an offence punishable for 3 [offences under section 19 or section 24 or section 27A and also for offences involving commercial quantity] shall be released on bail or on his own bond unless— (i) the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release, and(ii) where the Public Prosecutor opposes the application, the court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. (2) The limitations on granting of bail specified in clause (b) of sub-section (1) are in addition to the limitations under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or any other law for the time being in force on granting of bail.].

PARAMETERS LAID DOWN BY COURTS REGARDING BAIL:

Under this Act a presumption from possession of illicit articles. In trials under this Act, it may be presumed, unless and until the contrary is proved, that the accused has committed an offence under this Act See Sec 35 and 54 [https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1727139/ ]

WHEN BAIL CAN BE CANCELLED UNDER NDPS?

In Union of India v. Prateek Shukla a two-judge Bench, noted that non-application of mind to the rival submissions and the seriousness of the allegations involving an offence under the NDPS Act by the High Court are grounds for cancellation of bail.

With regard to the cancellation of bail for offences under the NDPS Act, in Union of India v. Shiv Shanker Kesari Supreme Court observed that bail may be cancelled if it has been granted without adhering to the parameters under Section 37 of the NDPS Act.

In Union of India v. Prateek Shukla  it was held that, the standard prescribed for the grant of bail is ‘reasonable ground to believe’ that the person is not guilty of the offence. Interpreting the standard of ‘reasonable grounds to believe’,

A two-judge bench of Supreme Court in Shiv Shanker Kesari  held that: “7. The expression used in Section 37(1)(b)(ii) is “reasonable grounds”. The expression means something more than prima facie grounds. It connotes substantial probable causes for believing that the accused is not guilty of the offence charged and this reasonable belief contemplated in turn points to existence of such facts and circumstances as are sufficient in themselves to justify recording of satisfaction that the accused is not guilty of the offence charged.

The word “reasonable” has in law the prima facie meaning of reasonable in regard to those circumstances of which the actor, called on to act reasonably, knows or ought to know. It is difficult to give an exact definition of the word “reasonable”.

In Stroud’s Judicial Dictionary, 4th Edn., p. 2258 states that it would be unreasonable to expect an exact definition of the word ‘reasonable’. Reason varies in its conclusions according to the idiosyncrasy of the individual, and the times and circumstances in which he thinks. The reasoning which built up the old scholastic logic sounds now like the jingling of a child’s toy.” (See Municipal Corpn. of Delhi v. Jagan Nath Ashok Kumar [(1987) 4 SCC 497] (SCC p. 504, para 7) and Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. Unique Erectors (Gujarat) (P) Ltd. [(1989) 1 SCC 532]

“ the test which the High Court and this Court are required to apply while granting bail is whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that the accused has not committed an offence and whether he is likely to commit any offence while on bail. Given the seriousness of offences punishable under the NDPS Act and in order to curb the menace of drug-trafficking in the country, stringent parameters for the grant of bail under the NDPS Act have been prescribed.

In Union of India v. Rattan Mallik a two-judge Bench of this Court cancelled the bail of an accused and reversed the finding of the High Court, which had held that as the contraband (heroin) was recovered from a specially made cavity above the cabin of a truck, no contraband was found in the ‘possession’ of the accused. The Court observed that merely making a finding on the possession of the contraband did not fulfil the parameters of Section 37(1)(b) and there was non-application of mind by the High Court.

In Madan Lal and Another v. State of Himachal Pradesh Supreme Court held that “19. Whether there was conscious possession has to be determined with reference to the factual backdrop. The facts which can be culled out from the evidence on record are that all the accused persons were travelling in a vehicle and as noted by the trial court they were known to each other and it has not been explained or shown as to how they travelled together from the same destination in a vehicle which was not a public vehicle.

Section 20(b) makes possession of contraband articles an offence. Section 20 appears in Chapter IV of the Act which relates to offences for possession of such articles. It is submitted that in order to make the possession illicit, there must be a conscious possession.

It is highlighted that unless the possession was coupled with the requisite mental element i.e. conscious possession and not mere custody without awareness of the nature of such possession, Section 20 is not attracted.

State Of Kerala vs Rajesh on 24 January, 2020 Supreme Court in para 20 observed that, The scheme of Section 37 reveals that the exercise of power to grant bail is not only subject to the limitations contained under Section 439 of the CrPC, but is also subject to the limitation placed by Section 37 which commences with non­obstante clause. The operative part of the said section is in the negative form prescribing the enlargement of bail to any person accused of commission of an offence under the Act, unless twin conditions are satisfied. The first condition is that the prosecution must be given an opportunity to oppose the application; and the second, is that the Court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence. If either of these two conditions is not satisfied, the ban for granting bail operates.

WHAT IS POSSESSION?

The expression “possession” is a polymorphous term which assumes different colours in different contexts. It may carry different meanings in contextually different backgrounds.

It is impossible, as was observed in Supdt. & Remembrancer of Legal Affairs, W.B. v. Anil Kumar Bhunja [(1979) 4 SCC 274 : 1979 SCC (Cri) 1038 : AIR 1980 SC 52 to work out a completely logical and precise definition of “possession” uniform[ly] applicable to all situations in the context of all statutes.

The word “conscious” means awareness about a particular fact. It is a state of mind which is deliberate or intended.

Once possession is established, the person who claims that it was not a conscious possession has to establish it, because how he came to be in possession is within his special knowledge. Section 35 of the Act gives a statutory recognition of this position because of the presumption available in law. Similar is the position in terms of Section 54 where also presumption is available to be drawn from possession of illicit articles.”

What amounts to “conscious possession” was also considered in Dharampal Singh v. State of Punjab where it was held that the knowledge of possession of contraband has to be gleaned from the facts and circumstances of a case. The standard of conscious possession would be different in case of a public transport vehicle with several persons as opposed to a private vehicle with a few persons known to one another.

In Mohan Lal v. State of Rajasthan Supreme Court also observed that the term “possession” could mean physical possession with animus; custody over the prohibited substances with animus; exercise of dominion and control as a result of concealment; or personal knowledge as to the existence of the contraband and the intention based on this knowledge.

GUILTY UNLESS POVED INNOCENT -REVERSE BURDEN OF PROOF

The duty of the prosecution under the NDPS Act, considering the reverse burden of proof, was noticed in Noor Aga (2008) 16 SCC 417 observed “58……An   initial   burden   exists   upon   the prosecution   and   only   when   it   stands satisfied, would the legal burden shift. Even then, the standard of proof required for the accused   to   prove   his   innocence   is   not   as high   as   that   of   the   prosecution.   Whereas the standard of proof required to prove the guilt   of   the   accused   on   the   prosecution   is “beyond   all   reasonable   doubt”   but   it   is “preponderance   of   probability”   on   the accused. If the prosecution fails to prove the foundational   facts   so   as   to   attract   the rigours of Section 35 of the Act, the actus-reus which is possession of contraband by  the   accused  cannot  be   said   to   have   been established.

59. With a view to bring within its purview the requirements of Section 54 of  the Act, element of possession of the contraband was essential   so   as   to   shift   the  burden   on   the accused. The provisions being exceptions to the   general   rule,   the   generality   thereof would continue to be operative, namely, the element of possession will have to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.” Furthermore, the sample not having been deposited in the  malkhana,  coupled with non-examination of the private witnesses,   an   adverse   inference   was   drawn   therein   against the prosecution.  This principle has been reiterated in Bhola Singh vs. State of Punjab, 2011(11) SCC 653.

Supreme Court in para 13 in Mohan Lal vs The State Of Punjab on 16 August, 2018 that in the nature of reverse burden of proof, the onus will lie on the prosecution to demonstrate on the face of it that the investigation was fair, judicious with no circumstance that may raise doubt about its veracity, it is to be noted that the presumption under the Act is against the accused as per Sections 35 and 54 of the NDPS Act. Thus, in the cases of reverse burden of proof, the presumption can operate only after the initial burden which exists on

BAIL GRANTED IN HIGH PROFILE CASE

Rhea Chakraborty vs Union of India And Anr on 7 October, 2020

The main Section which could be attracted in her case is violation of Section 8(c) of the NDPS Act, which is made punishable under Section 20 or Section 22. In that case, it is necessary for the investigating agency to show that her activities or contravention involved commercial quantity of a Narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. The investigation did not reveal any recovery either from the Applicant or from the house of Sushant Singh Rajput. It is their own case that the drugs were already consumed and hence there was no recovery. In that case, there is nothing at this stage to show that the Applicant had committed any offence involving commercial quantity of contraband. The material at the highest shows that she has committed an offence involving contraband, but, the crucial element of incurring rigours of Section 37 in respect of commercial quantity is missing. Therefore, I am satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the Applicant is not guilty of any offence punishable under Sections 19, 24 or 27A or any other offence involving commercial quantity. There are no other criminal antecedents against her. She is not part of the chain of drug dealers. She has not forwarded the drugs allegedly procured by her to somebody else to earn monetary or  other benefits. Since she has no criminal antecedents, there are reasonable grounds for believing that she is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.

BAIL AFTER CONVICTION

Where the trial has ended in an order of conviction, the High Court, when a suspension of sentence is sought under Section 389(1) of CrPC, must be duly cognizant of the fact that a finding of guilt has been arrived at by the Trial Judge at the conclusion of the trial. This is not to say that the High Court is deprived of its power to suspend the sentence under Section 389(1) of CrPC. The High Court may do so for sufficient reasons which must have a bearing on the public policy underlying the incorporation of Section 37 of the NDPS Act. At this stage, we will refer to the decision of a two-Judge Bench of this Court in Preet Pal Singh v State of Uttar Pradesh the Court, observed as follows:

“35. There is a difference between the grant of bail under Section 439 of the CrPC in case of pre-trial arrest and suspension of sentence under Section 389 of the CrPC and grant of bail, post-conviction. In the earlier case there may be presumption of innocence, which is a fundamental postulate of criminal jurisprudence, and the courts may be liberal, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, on the principle that bail is the rule and jail is an exception, as held by this Court in Dataram Singh v. State of U.P. and Anr.  However, in case of post- conviction bail, by suspension of operation of the sentence, there is a finding of guilt and the question of presumption of innocence does not arise. Nor is the principle of bail being the rule and jail an exception attracted, once there is conviction upon trial. Rather, the Court considering an application for suspension of sentence and grant of bail, is to consider the prima facie merits of the appeal, coupled with other factors. There should be strong compelling reasons for grant of bail, notwithstanding an order of conviction, by suspension of sentence, and this strong and compelling reason must be recorded in the order granting bail, as mandated in Section 389(1) of the Cr.P.C.”

SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPLES WITH REGARD TO BAIL UNDER THE NDPS ACT WITH REFERENCE TO A PERSON ACCUSED UNDER SECTION 19 OR SECTION 24 OR SECTION 27A AND ALSO FOR OFFENCES INVOLVING ‘COMMERCIAL QUANTITY

It is no longer res nova that in view of Section 37(1)(b) of the NDPS Act, refusal of bail is the rule and its grant an exception and, that too after, inter alia, providing the Public Prosecutor an opportunity to oppose the application for such release. The law with regard to grant of bail in matters under the NDPS Act is quite well settled. However, some of the principles may be summarized as follows:-

  1. i) Powers of the High Court to grant bail under section 439 Cr.P.C are subject the limitations contained in Section 37 of the NDPS Act.

While considering the scope of Section 439 of the Cr. P.C. with respect to Section 37 of the NDPS Act, the Supreme Court, in the case of Narcotics Control Bureau v. Kishan Lal,  looked into the provision of S.37 of the NDPS Act as amended in the year 1989 and held: “For all the aforesaid reasons we hold that the powers of the High Court to grant bail under Section 439 are subject to the limitations contained in the amended Section 37 of the NDPS Act and the restrictions placed on the powers of the court under the said section are applicable to the High Court also in the matter of granting bail”.

  1. ii) The total period of custody under the NDPS Act of the accused permissible during investigation is to be found in Section 167 CrPC read with Section 36A of the NDPS Act. [ https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1687975/ S 167 of Cr.P.C ]

In the case of Union of India Vs. Thamisharasi, the Supreme Court held that Section 37 of the NDPS Act does not exclude the application of the proviso to sub-section (2) of Section 167 of the Code, even in respect of persons who are accused of offences under the NDPS Act, and observed as follows: “13. Accordingly, provision in Section 37 to the extent it is inconsistent with Section 437 of the Code of Criminal Procedure  [https://indiankanoon.org/doc/848468/] supersedes the corresponding provisions in the Code and imposes limitations on granting of bail in addition to the limitations under the Code of Criminal Procedure as expressly provided in sub-section (2) of Section 37. These limitations on granting of bail specified in sub-section (1) of Section 37 are in addition to the limitations under Section 437 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and were enacted only for this purpose; and they do not have the effect of excluding the applicability of the proviso to sub-section (2) of Section 167 CrPC which operates in a different field relating to the total period of custody of the accused permissible during investigation.

Conclusion:

Once a person is arrested under NDPS he is guilty unless he proves innocence. Stay Away from Drugs.

 

Shruti Desai

14th October,2021