Jana v. State Rep by the Inspector of police
Bail – NDPS Act – Sections 8(c) read with 22(c) and 25
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court, Crl.O.P.No.14923 of 2025, decided 19.09.2025 by Justice K. Rajasekar - bail under Section 483 of B.N.S.S pending investigation in Crime No.95 of 2025, Vellavedu Police Station - NDPS Act Sections 8(c), 22(c), 25 - 268 grams (400 tablets) Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen alleged commercial quantity - Section 37 NDPS Act urged on account of antecedents - police witnesses / no independent witnesses held to be a matter for trial, not violation of mandatory provisions at bail stage - 11 previous cases cited, 2 under NDPS Act - bail refused, petition dismissed.
What did the court decide?
The evidentiary value of police officers being witnesses, and the non-involvement of independent witnesses, can only be tested during the course of trial and cannot, at the bail stage, be accepted as a ground to hold that there is a violation of mandatory provisions.