E. Micheal Raj vs Intelligence Officer, Narcotic ...

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the accused under Section 21(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, confirming that the substance in possession was a manufactured drug as defined under Section 2(xvi) of the Act. The Court clarified that the purity of the drug is irrelevant when determining the applicability of Section 21, emphasizing that the entire quantity of the mixture is considered. The Court affirmed the High Court's decision to impose a minimum sentence of 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine, given that the accused was merely a carrier and not the beneficiary of the drug transaction.