DHARAMPAL SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellants under Section 18 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, reversing the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order that had overturned the trial court's acquittal. The Court emphasized the mandatory nature of compliance with Section 50 of the Act, which requires informing the accused of their right to be searched in the presence of a Gazetted Officer or Magistrate. The Court found that the prosecution had sufficiently established the case against the appellants, leading to their conviction and sentencing to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh each.