Union Of India vs Mohanlal & Anr

The Supreme Court overturned the Madhya Pradesh High Court's acquittal of the respondents under Section 8/18(b) read with Section 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, citing the prosecution's failure to provide evidence of proper destruction of seized contraband. The Court emphasized the necessity of adhering to the prescribed procedures for the disposal of narcotics to prevent pilferage and re-circulation in society. The Court appointed an Amicus Curiae to investigate procedural weaknesses in the destruction of narcotics, highlighting the systemic failures that lead to the accumulation of seized drugs.