UNION OF INDIA vs SAJEEV V. DESHPHANDE

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, which governs bail for offenses under the Act. The Court held that individuals accused of offenses involving commercial quantities of narcotics cannot be granted bail unless the public prosecutor is given an opportunity to oppose the bail application. The judgment emphasized the need for a larger bench to resolve conflicting interpretations of the law, particularly in light of previous decisions such as Collector of Customs, New Delhi vs. Ahmadalieva Nodira and State of Uttaranchal vs. Rajesh Kumar Gupta.