Judgement of the Day - Jeet Ram vs. Narcotics Control Bureau, Chandigarh

Facts

The contention raised by the accused in this case was about the non compliance of Section 50 of the NDPS Act. According to him, the samples were handed over to an officer who himself gave the sample to another officer or carrying the same to the Central Laboratory at Delhi and these seals remained with the Director, as such the chances of tampering could not be ruled out and also on the ground that the case of the prosecution was unnatural and improbable.

Judgment

Section 50 of the NDPS Act is applicable only in the case of personal search, the Supreme court has reiterated while affirming the conviction of an accused who was a temple priest. However taking note of his health and age, the bench modified the sentence from 15 years rigorous imprisonment to 10 years.