STATE THRU NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU vs KULWANT SINGH

The Supreme Court addressed the conflicting judgments regarding the authority of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. It held that the NCB officers are indeed empowered to conduct searches, seizures, and arrests under the Act, thereby overturning the High Court of Delhi's decision which quashed the conviction of the respondent due to lack of authority. The Court reinstated the conviction under Section 21 of the Act, affirming the legality of the actions taken by the NCB officers.