Supreme Court of India · 2002-10-29
Bharatbhai Bhagwanjibhai vs State Of Gujarat
- Citation / case number
- AIR 2003 SUPREME COURT 7
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- Bharatbhai Bhagwanjibhai
- Respondent
- State Of Gujarat
- Bench
- Umesh C. Banerjee, B.N. Agrawal
Judgment text excerpt
The court examines the legislative intent of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, noting that it was designed as a comprehensive measure to combat the heinous nature of illicit drug trafficking. While acknowledging the severity of the offences, the Court emphasizes that such stringent legislation must coexist with the principles of criminal jurisprudence. Consequently, the Court insists on strict compliance with the statutory safeguards provided under the Act to protect the rights of the accused.