STATE OF HARYANA vs ASHA DEVI

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to deny the State of Haryana leave to appeal against the acquittal of Asha Devi under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The Court emphasized that the prosecution failed to establish the chain of custody of the seized contraband, which is crucial under Section 20 of the NDPS Act. The Court held that without a proper chain of custody, the conviction cannot be sustained, thereby affirming the acquittal of the respondents.