1992 JLJ 24
(FULL BENCH)
Dr. T.N. Singh, S.K. Dubey and R.C. Lahoti, JJ.
Ram Dayal v. Central Narcotics Bureau, Gwalior
Misc. Cr. Case No. 273 of 1992; Decided on 3.9.1992.
(2) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 36A (1) and 53 -- officer of department of revenue intelligence invested with powers of officer-in-charge of police station under S. 53 -- is not a "police officer‘ with ill the meaning of section 25 of the Evidence Act -- statement of accused made to such officer may prima facie establish offence under the Act. AIR 1991 SC 45 followed. [Para 6
(3) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- S. 36A (1) (c) -- "Special Court" and "magistrate" have disperate powers and jurisdictions -- deeming provision -- has limited field to operate -- use of the words "may exercise" shows the provision to be directory.
The "Special Court" functioning under the Act and the "Magistrate" functioning under Cr.P.C. have disparate powers and jurisdictions being creatures of two different statutes. The deeming provision contemplated under section 36A (1) (c) is meant to sub-serve a limited purpose; it is only a general and enabling provision and carries no mandate binding on the Magistrate in the manner section 167 (2), proviso, docs. The expressions used in it are "may exercise" and "same powers": use of the word "all" being carefully avoided and the word "same" being used instead, the legislative intent is made clear thereby that the provision is not meant to include within its ambit all powers exercisable by a Magistrate under section 167 including the power contemplated under the proviso to sub-section (2) and the use of the word "may", at the same time, is meant to impart to the power purely discretionary character. The provision obviously is meant to be a directory one and not mandatory. It is well settled that effect of a legal fiction cannot he extended judicially and its scope is to be limited to the purpose it is meant to sub-serve. AIR 1955 SC 661 and AIR 1973 SC 1106 followed. [Para 1)
(4) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 36A (1) (C) (3) and 37 -- special powers of the High Court" contemplated under S. 36A (3) regarding bail under S. 439, Cr.P.C. -- do not take within their fold the bail power of both the Courts enumerated under S. 37 -- both the provisions should be read conjointly. [Para 10
(5) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 36A (1) and 37 -- expression "nothing contained in this section" -- postulates that High Court‘s hail power is not to be deemed affected by anything contained in section 36A only -- fiction cannot he extended to S. 37 which is an independent provision. [Para 10
(6) Interpretation of Statutes -- Legislature is supposed to enuct sensibly -- Court‘s duty is to construe statutory provisions in such manner as to avoid conflict, chaos and cavil. AIR 1953 SC 394 and AIR 1963 SC 1962 followed. [Para 10
(7) Legal Maxims -- ut res magis valeat quam pereat -- maxim means to uphold the constitutionality of statutes whenever it can rationally be done --must inform judicial interpretative process. [ Para 10
(8) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 37 and 8 r/w 18 -- Criminal P.C., 1973 -- S. 167 (2)-Proviso -- proceeding under the Act -- provisions of section 167 (2)-Proviso of the Cr.P.C. are not applicable -accused is not entitled to bail if Charge-sheet is filed beyond 90 days after his arrest -- provisions of section 37 of the Act apply to such hail application.
(9) Criminal P.C., 1973 -- S. 167 (2) -- Proviso -- Narcotic Drugs and Pyschotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 8 r/w 18 and 37 -- proceedings under the Act -- provisions of section 167 (2) proviso of the Cr. P.C. are not applicable -- accused is not entitled to hail if charge-sheet is filed beyond 90 Jays after his arrest -- provisions of section 37 of the Act apply to such hail application. Section 167 (2) proviso, Cr.P.C., is not applicable to a proceeding under NDPS Act. We hold that even if charge-sheet is filed after 90 days of the arrest of the accused on that ground itself the person charged under section 18 NDPS Act is not entitled to get hail from the High Court. Indeed, "Special Court" and High Court are equally placed in respect of competence under section 37 NDPS Act in the matter of grant of hail to a person accused of an offence under the said Act. Irrespective of the date of submission of the charge-sheet it will he open always to the "Special Court" and the High Court to consider the prayer under section 37 and both Courts are required to dispose of the prayer in terms only of the said provision because no power outside that is invokable by a person accused under the Act to get released on hail. AIR 1953 Cal. 2X relied on. 1992 (I) MPWN 5 overruled. 1992 Cr LJ 561 and 1992 (II) Crimes 353 dissented from. AIR 1991 SC 558 followed. [Paras 17 & 18
(10) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- S. 37 (1) and (2) -- Criminal P.C., 1973 -- Chap. XIII -- arrest under the Act suffering jurisdictional infirmity due to non-compliance of mandatory provisions thereof -- bar under S. 37 (1) would not apply to such case -- provisions of Chapter XIII of Cr. P.C. have to he resorted to in terms of S. 37 (2) of the Act. AIR 1979 SC 711 followed. [Para 19
(11) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 50 and 43 -- provisions under -- do not apply when search is made under S. 43 of the vehicle or luggage of any person – if search is made of the person of the accused provision are attracted and should he complied with. 1989 CrLJ 1412 relied on. [Para 20
(12) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- S. 50 (3) -- provisions of discharge under -- are mandatory -- question of search of person of the accused arises only when he is not discharged. [Para 21
(13) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 3M (1) and 52 (1) -- accused may protest against his confinement to the magistrate before whom he is produced u/s. 36 A (1) -- he can also complain infringement of S. 52 (1) having not been informed of the grounds of arrest. [Para 21
(14) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 50 (3) and 37 (1) -- person brought to the Magistrate or Gazetted officer and discharged by him under S. 50 (3) -- no occasion comes for operation of S. 37 (1). [Para 21
(15) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- S. 50 (3) -- use of words "shall", "forthwith" and "discharge" -- makes the provision patently mandatory. [Para 21
(16) Constitution of India -- Art. 20 (3) and Part III -- "exclusionary rule" of America --not applicable in India u there is no such provision in Part III -- Art. 20 (3) does not hit the evidence collected on search under S. 93 of Criminal Procedure Code -- subsequent trial is not vitiated even if search is illegal. AIR 1980 SC 185, 593, AIR 1971 SC 44, AIR 197R SC 933, AIR 1963 SC 822, AIR 1972 SC 886, AIR 1974 SC 348 and AIR 1954 SC 200 followed. 384 US 436 referred to 1991 JLJ 415 and 1991 CrLR 210 overruled. [Paras 23 & 24
(17) Criminal Trial -- breach of procedural safeguard -- "prejudice" to the accused must he shown. AIR 1956 SC 411, AIR 1955 SC 196, AIR 1970 SC 1396 and AIR 1972 SC 953 followed. [Para 24
(18) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- Ss. 41 and 50 -- violation of any type of search provision and breach of section 50 -- no prejudice shown -- does not affect the case. 1991 CrLJ 696, 1991 CrLJ 2980, 1989 CrLJ 430, 1990 CrLJ 806 and 1991 CrLJ 2980 relied on. 1991 Supp (2) SCC 101 followed. [Para 25
(19) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 -- S. 37 -- plea of waiving the "limitations" contemplated under -- neither High Court nor Special Court has jurisdiction to accept without investigating its truth and validity -- the Court has to reach affirmatively tentative conclusion that arrest and subsequent proceedings are impugnable. 1991 JLJ 415 overruled. [Para 27 (ii)
(20) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1985 -- R. 2 (c) -- "Chemical Examiner" as defined under -- is meant for the purpose of chapter III of the Rules -- samples of lawfully cultivated and produced opium is required to he examined at Neemuch and Ghazipur -- opium seized in connection with any offence -- may he got examined at any other Laboratory. 1990 CrLR 194 (M.P.) overruled. [Para 28
¼1½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && vf/kfu;fefr dh ifjp;&/kqu && **lekt dk dY;k.k dh loksZPp fof/k gSA ¿ iSjk 7 ls 9À ¼2½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 36d ¼1½ rFkk 55 && jktLo dk lwpuk foHkkx ds vf/kdkjh /kkjk 53 ds v/khu iqfyl Fkkus ds Hkkjlk/kd vf/kdkjh dh ‘kfDr ds fofufgr && lk{; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 25 ds vFkkZrxZr **iqfyl vf/kdkjh** ugha gS && vfHk;qDr dk ,sls vf/kdkjh dks fd, x, dFku ls vf/kfu;e ds v/khu vijk/k izFke n`"V~;k LFkkfir gks ldrk gSA , vkb vkj 1991 ,l lh 45 vuqlfjrA ¿ iSjk 6À ¼3½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 36d ¼1½ ¼x½ && **fo‘ks"k U;k;ky;** rFkk **eftLVªsV dh ‘kfDr;k¡ vkSj vf/kdkfjrk,¡ && lqfHkUu gS && /kkjk mica/k && ds izorZu dk {ks= ifjlhfer gS && **iz;ksx dj ldsxk** ‘‘kCnksa ds iz;ksx ls izdV gS fd ;g mica/k funs‘kkRed gSA vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zjr **fo‘ks"k U;k;ky;** rFkk na- iz- la- ds v/khu dk;Zjr **eftLVªsV** dh ‘kfDr;k¡ vkSj vf/kdkfjrk,¡] nks fHkUu dkuwuksa dh l`f"V gksus ds dkj.k] lqfHkUu gSA /kkjk 36d ¼1½ ¼x½ ds v/khu vuq/;kr /kkj.kk mica/k ifjlhfer iz;kstu esa lgk;d gksus ds fy, vfHkizsr gS( ;g dsoy ,d lk/kkj.k vkSj leFkZd mica/k gS vkSj bldk eftLVsªV dj vkc)dj izHkko ml izdkj vkKkid ugha gS tSlk /kkjk 167 ¼2½] ijarqd dk gSa blesa **iz;ksx dj ldsxk** rFkk **ogh ‘kfDr;k¡** in iz;qDr fd, x, gS( ‘‘kCn **leLr** dk lko/kkuhiwoZd ifjotZu fd, tkus vkSj mlds LFkku ij ‘‘kCn **ogh** iz;qDr fd, tkus ls fo/kk;h vk‘k; Li"V gqvk gS fd /kkjk 167 ds v/khu fdlh eftLVªsV }kjk iz;ksDrO; leLr ‘kfDr;k¡ ftuesa mi/kkjk ¼2½ ds ijarqd ds v/khu vuq/;kr ‘kfDr Hkh lfEefyr gS] bl mica/k dh ifjf/k ds varxZr vkuk vfHkizsr ugha gS] rFkk mlh ds lkFk ‘‘kCn **ldsxk** dk iz;ksx bl ‘kfDr ds iw.kZ oSosfdd Lo:i iznku fd;k tkuk lwfpr djuk gSA LI"Vr% ;g mcia/k funs‘kkRed gksuk vfHkizsr gS] vkKkid ughaA ;g lqLFkkfir gS fd fdlh fof/kd dYiuk dk izHkko U;kf;Dr% foLrkfjr ugha fd;k tk ldrk vkSj bldh O;kfIr ml iz;kstu rd lhfer j[kuk gksxh ftldk lk/ku cuus ds fy, og vfHkizsr gSA , vkb vkj 1955 ,l lh 661 rFkk , vkb vkj 1973 ,l lh 1106 vuqlfjrA ¿ iSjk 9À ¼4½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 36d ¼1½ ¼x½ ¼3½ rFkk 37 && /kkjk 36d ¼3½ ds v/khu vuq/;kr na-iz-la- dh /kkjk 439 ds v/khu tekur ds ckjs esa **mPp U;k;ky; dh fo‘ks"k ‘kfDr;k¡** && /kkjk 37 esa izxf.kr nksuksa U;k;ky;ksa dh tekur dh ‘kfDr muds varxZr ugha gS && nksuksa mica/k la;qDr :i esa i<s+ tkuk pkfg,A ¿ iSjk 10À ¼5½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 36d ¼1½ rFkk 37 && in **bl /kkjk esa dh dksbZ Hkh ckr** && dk vk/kkj rRo ;g gS fd mPp U;k;ky; dh tekur dh ‘kfDr dsoy /kkjk 36d esa dh ckr ls izHkkfor ugha le>h tk,xh && dYiuk /kkjk 37 dks foLrkfjr ugha dh tk ldrh tks ,d Lora= mica/k gSA ¿ iSjk 10À ¼6½ fof/k dk fuoZpu && fo/kku eaMy }kjk foosdk‘khyrk ls vf/kfu;fer djuk vuqfer gS && U;k;ky; dk drZO; dkuwuh mica/kksa dk vFkkZUo;u }a}] nqO;ZoLFkk vkSj nks"kkUos"k.k ls cp dj djuk gSA , vkb vkj 1953 ,l lh 394 rFkk , vkb vkj 1963 ,l lh 1062 vuqlfjrA ¿ iSjk 10À ¼7½ fof/kd lw= && vekU; ls ekU; djuk vPNk gS && lw= dk vfHkizk; gS fd tc dHkh Hkh ,slk ;qfDrlaxr :i ls fd;k tk lds] dkuwuksa dh lkafo/kkfudrk ekU; Bgjkuk pkfg, && U;kf;d fuoZpu dh izfØ;k blls vuqizkf.kr jguk gh pkfg,A ¿ iSjk 10À ¼8½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 37 rFkk 8 lgifBr 18 && naM izfØ;k lafgrk] 1973 && /kkjk 167¼2½ && iajrqd && vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zokgh && na-iz-la- dh /kkjk 167 ¼2½ && iajrqd ds mica/k ykxw ugha gksrs && vkjksi&i= mldh fxj¶rkjh ds 90 fnu ls vf/kd ds i‘pkr~ Qkby fd;k x;k gks rc Hkh vfHk;qDr tekur dk gdnkj ugha gS && tekur ds ,sls vkosnu ij vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 37 ds mica/k ykxw gksaxsA ¿ iSjk 10À ¼9½ naM izfØ;k lafgrk] 1973 && /kkjk 167 ¼2½ && iajrqd && Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 8 lgifBr 18 rFkk 37 && vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zokgh && na-iz- la- dh /kkjk 167¼2½ && ijarqd ds mica/k ykxw ugha gksrs && vkjksi&i= mldh fxj¶rkjh ds 90 fnu ls vf/kd ds i‘pkr~ Qkby fd;k x;k gks rc Hkh vfHk;qDr tekur dk gdnkj ugha && tekur ds ,sls vkosnu ij vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 37 ds mica/k ykxw gkssaxsA Lok-vks-e-i- vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zokgh dks na-iz-la- dh /kkjk 167¼2½ && ijaarqd ykxw ugha gksrhA ge vfHkfu/kkZfjr djrs gSa fd vkjksi&i= vfHk;qDr dh fxj¶rkjh ds 90 fnu ds i‘pkr~ Qkby fd;k x;k gks rc Hkh dsoy blh vk/kkj ij Lok- vks- e-i- vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 18 ls vkjksfir O;fDr mPp U;k;ky; ls tekur izkIr djus dk gdnkj ugha gSA fuLlansg] Lok- vks e-i- vf/kfu;e ds v/khu fdlh vijk/k esa vfHk;qDr fdlh O;fDr dh tekur eatwj fd, tkus ds ekeys esa mDr vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 37 ds v/khu l{kerk ds ckjs esa **fo‘ks"k U;k;ky;** rFkk mPp U;k;ky; led{k gSa vkjksi&i= izLrqr djus dh rkjh[k ls vuis{kr% **fo‘ks"k U;k;ky;** rFkk mPp U;k;ky; /kkjk 37 ds v/khu vkosnu ij lnSo fopkj dj ldsaxs rFkk nksuksa U;k;ky;ksa ls visf{kr gS fd izkFkZuk dk fuiVkjk dsoy mDr mica/k ij /;ku nsdj fd;k tk, D;ksafd bl vf/kfu;e ds v/khu vfHk;qDr O;fDr dks tekur ij NksMs+ tkus ds fy, blls ckgj dh fdlh ‘kfDr dh lgk;rk ugha yh tk ldrhA , vkb vkj 1953 dydRrk 28 voyafcrA 1992 ¼1½ e-iz- ohDyh uksV~l 5 myVk x;kA 1992 lhvkj ,y ts 561 rFkk 1992 ¼2½ dzkbEl 353 folEerA , vkb vkj 1991 ,l lh 558 vuqlfjrA ¿ iSjk 17 ,oa 18À ¼10½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 37 ¼1½ rFkk ¼2½ && naM izfØ;k lafgrk] 1973 && v/;k; 13 && ds vkKkid mica/kksa ds vuqikyu ds dkj.k vf/kfu;e ds v/khu fxj¶rkjh vf/kdkfjrk dh /kkjk 37 ¼1½ ds otZu ,sls ekeys dks ykxw ugha gksxk && vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 37¼2½ ij /;ku nsdj n-iz-la- ds v/;k; 13 ds mica/kksa dks vkJ; ysuk gksxkA , vkb vkj 1979 ,l lh 711 vuqlfjrA ¿ iSjk 19À ¼11½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 50 rFkk 43 ds v/khu mica/k && ykxw ugha gksrs tc /kkjk 43 ds v/khu fdlh O;fDr ds ;ku vFkok lkeku dh ryk‘kh yh tkrh gS && ;fn vfHk;qDr ds ‘kjhj dh ryk‘kh yh tkrh gS rc mica/k vkdf"kZr gksrs gSa vkSj mudk vuqikyu fd;k tkuk pkfg,A 1989 lhvkj ,y ts 1412 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 20À ¼12½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 50¼3½ ds v/khu vkjksi ls eqfDr ds mica/k && vkKkid gS && vfHk;qDr ds ‘kjhj dh ryk‘kh dk iz‘u dsoy rHkh mRiUu gksrk gS tc og vkjksi eqDr ugha fd;k tkrk gSA ¿ iSjk 21À ¼13½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 36d ¼1½ rFkk 52¼1½ && vfHk;qDr mlds ifjjks/k ds fo#) ml eftLVªsV dks vH;kifRr dj ldrk gS ftlds le{k mls /kkjk 36 d¼1½ ds v/khu is‘k fd;k tkrk gS && og fxj¶rkjh ds vk/kkj ij lwfpr ugha fd, tkus ij /kkjk 52¼1½ ds vfrya?ku dh f‘kdk;r dj ldrk gSA ¿ iSjk 21À ¼14½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 50 ¼3½ rFkk 37¼1½ && O;fDr eftLVªsV vFkok jktif=r vf/kdkjh ds le{k yk;k x;k vkSj mlds }kjk /kkjk 50¼3½ ds v/khu vkjksieqDr fd;k x;k && /kkjk 137 ¼1½ ds izorZu dk dksbZ volj ugha vkrkA ¿ iSjk 21À ¼15½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 50 ¼3½ && **djs xk**] **rRdky** rFkk **vkjksieqDr** ‘‘kCnksa dk mi;ksx && mica/k dk Li"Vr% vkKkid cukrk gSA ¿ iSjk 21À ¼16½ Hkkjr dk lafo/kku && vuq- 20¼3½ rFkk Hkkx 3 && vejhdk dk **viotZudkjh fu;e** && Hkkjr eas ykxw gksus ;ksX; ugha && Hkkx 3 esa ,slk dksbZ mica/k ugha gS && vuq- 20¼3½ }kjk naM izfØ;k lafgrk dh /kkjk 93 ds v/khu ryk‘kh ij ls ,d= dh xbZ lk{; dks vk?kkr ugah igq¡prk && ryk‘kh voS/k gksus ij Hkh i‘pkr~orhZ fopkj.k nwf"kr ugha gksrkA , vkb vkj 1980 ,l lh 85] 593] , vkb vkj 1971 ,l lh 44] , vkb vkj 1978 ,l lh 933] , vkb vkj 1963 ,l lh 822] , vkb vkj 1972 ,l lh 886] , vkb vkj 974 ,l lh 348 rFkk , vkb vkj 1954 ,l lh 200 vuqlfjrA 384 ;w ,l 436 fufnZ"VA 1991 ts ,y ts 415 rFkk 1991 lhvkj ,y vkj 210 myVk x;kA ¿ iSjk 23 ,oa 24À ¼17½ nkafMd fopkj.k && izfØ;kRed j{kksik; dk Hkax && vfHk;qDr dk izfrdwy izHkko nf‘kZr djuk vko‘;d gSA , vkb vkj 1956 ,l lh 411] , vkb vkj 1955 ,l lh 196] , vkb vkj 1970 ,l lh 1396 rFkk , vkb vkj 1972 ,l lh 953 vuqlfjrA ¿ iSjk 24À ¼18½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 41 rFkk 50 && ryk‘kh ds fdlh izdkj ds mica/k dk vfrØe.k vkSj /kkjk 50 dk Hkax && izfrdwy izHkko nf‘kZr ugha fd;k x;k && ekeyk izHkkfor ugha gksrkA 1991 lhvkj ,y ts 696] 1991 lhvkj ,y ts 2980] 1989 lhvkj ,y ts 430] 1990 lhvkj ,y ts 806 rFkk 1991 lhvkj ,y ts 2980 voyafcrA 1991 lIyh- ¼2½ ,l lh lh 101 vuqlfjrA ¿ iSjk 25À ¼19½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && /kkjk 37 && ds v/khu vuq/;kr **ifjlhekvksa** dk vf/kR;tu && mPp U;k;ky; dks vkSj fo‘ks"k U;k;ky; dks Hkh bldh lpkbZ dk vUos"k.k fd, fcuk Lohdkj djus dh vf/kdkfjrk ugha gS && U;k;ky; dks ldkjkRed :i ls rRdky ds fy, bl fu"d"kZ ij igq¡puk gksxk fd fxj¶rkjh vkSj i‘pkr~orhZ dk;Zokgh vk{ksi ;ksX; gSaA 1991 ts ,y ts 415 myVk x;kA ¿ iSjk 27 ¼2½À ¼20½ Lokid vks"kf/k vkSj eu%izHkkoh inkFkZ vf/kfu;e] 1985 && fu- 2 ¼x½ && ds v/khu ;Fkk ifjHkkf"kr **jklk;fud ijh{kd** && fu;eksa ds v/;k; 3 ds iz;kstu ds fy, vfHkizsr gS &7 fof/kiwoZd [ksrh dh xbZ vkSj mRikfnr vQhe ds uewuksa dk ijh{k.k uhep vkSj xkthiqj esa fd;k tkuk visf{kr gS && fdlh vijk/k ds laca/k esa vfHkx`ghr vQhe && dk ijh{k.k fdlh Hkh vU; iz;ksx‘kkyk esa fd;k tk ldrk gSA 1990 lhvkj ,y vkj ¼e-iz-½ 194 myVk x;kA ¿ iSjk 28À
Dr. T.N. Singh, J. -- 1. This Reference is made by one of us (S.K. Dubey, J.) while hearing third hail application of the accused/applicant, arrested in connection with an offence under section 8/18, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, for short, the 'Act', or NDPS Act. After hearing counsel, we framed following two questions which arise for our consideration in the facts and circumstances of the case:
1. If for offence under section 18, NDPS Act, charge-sheet is riled 90 days after the arrest of the accused whether the latter will, as of right, he entitled to get hail from High Court?
2. Under what circumstances, the High Court or the "Special Court" can grant hail under section 37, NDPS Act, to a person accused or an offence under section 18 of the said Act if plea is raised by the accused in terms of section 50 of the said Act?
2. On 8.8.1991, the accused was apprehended while travelling in a bus with an attache case, on Agra-Bombay Road, near Shivpuri. From his possession, 5,100 gms. of opium, found kept in the attache case, was seized by the officers of the Narcotics Department. On chemical analysis at Neemuch Laboratory, the identity or the seized article has been established as opium. He has made repeated attempts in the course of last one year for release on hail.
3. By order passed on 23.11.1991, in Misc. Cr. case No. 1823 or 1991, his first hail application was rejected by S.K. "Dubey, J. and that decision is reported as Ram Dayal Koli v. State, 1991 (2) MPJR 328. It is unsuccessfully contended before him that for non-compliance of section 50 NDPS Act, the accused was entitled to hail and reliance was placed on this Court's Indore Bench's decision in Mari Appa v. State of M.P., 1991 JLJ 415. In the decision rendered, S.K. Dubey, J. referred to another decision of this Court, of the same Bench, in Bhavarsingh v. State of M.P. (1990 JLJ 193) and Apex Courts decision in Narcotics Control Bureau v. Kishan Lal, AIR 1991 SC 558. However, when the instant application was pressed (repeating the prayer for hail for the third time) reliance was placed on a D.B. decision of this Court rendered at the Main Seat in the case or Kalika Prasad v. State of M.P. [1992 (I) MPWN 5 = 1992 (1) Crimes 73] wherein it has been held that in a case in which challan is not filed within sixty days of arrest, the accused becomes entitled to hail. That decision's correctness is doubted. Obviously, therefore, accused applicants entitlement to hail is to he considered on two grounds pertaining to the effect of non- compliance or section 50, NDPS Act and his right, if any, contemplated under section 137 (2), Cr. P.C.
4. Arguments in this matter were heard on 3.7.1992, 14.7.1992, 24.7.1992 and finally, oral hearing was concluded on 29.7.1992 when following order was passed and counsel's prayer to file written arguments was allowed:
"During the course or hearing of this Reference, we had the advantage of hearing Shri B.K. Juneja, Assistant Narcotics Commissioner who deputises in this matter for the Commissioner of Narcotics, whose Office is situated in the City of Gwalior. It is Central Government Office and the Commissioner's jurisdiction prevails over the entire country.
We told Shri Juneja to file affidavit in regard to statements which are made by him today in Court before us, hut would like to record briefly a new facts which we found pertinent for disposing of the Reference. For opium, he told us, the transport-route is the Agra-Bombay Road; it comes from Punjab and Rajasthan mainly and goes to Bombay. One or the main trafficking centres is Guna in relation to the crop cultivated locally in the State and in the neighbouring State of Rajasthan. He told us further that of late, it has been discovered that in Gwalior and Guna and neighhouring areas, technical knowledge has been acquired for conversion of opium into heroin and that is dangerous because trade in heroin is highly lucrative in financial terms and it is an internati
3. Bhavarsingh v. State of M.P. = (1990 JLJ 193)
5. Kalika Prasad v. State of M.P. = [1992 (I) MPWN 5
6. Raj Kumar Karwars case = (AIR 1991 SC 45)
7. Raj Kumar Karwars case = (AIR 1991 SC 45)
11. Raghubir Singh = (AIR 1987 SC 149)
12. Gudikanti Narasimhulu = (AIR 1978 SC 429)
14. K.L. Subhayyas case = (AIR 1979 SC 711)
16. V.S. Kuttan Pillan = (AIR 1980 SC 185)
17. Hira H. Advani v. S/Maharashtra = (AIR 1971 SC 44)
18. S/Kamataka v. Alassery = (AIR 1978 SC 933)
19. Radhakishan = (AIR 1963 SC 822)
20. Shyamlal = (AIR 1972 SC 886)
21. Pooranmal = (AIR 1974 SC 348)
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