STATE OF H.P. vs PAWAN KUMAR

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, determining that the safeguards for search of a 'person' extend to bags or containers carried by the individual. The Court held that the High Court erred in excluding the Chemical Examiner's report and in finding non-compliance with Section 50, thus reversing the acquittal and reinstating the conviction under Section 18 of the NDPS Act. The accused was sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh.