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Nadeem Ahamed Vs. The State Of West Bengal

  Supreme Court Of India Criminal Appeal No(s). of 2025 (Arising out of
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Case Background

As per case facts, the accused-appellant was convicted and sentenced for possession of a commercial quantity of heroin after being apprehended with a co-accused, each carrying a separate quantity of ...

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Document Text Version

2025 INSC 993 1

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO(S). OF 2025

(Arising out of SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025)

NADEEM AHAMED ….APPELLANT(S)

VERSUS

THE STATE OF

WEST BENGAL ….RESPONDENT(S)

J U D G M E N T

Mehta, J.

1. Heard.

2. Leave granted.

3. The accused-appellant Nadeem Ahamed

1 has

approached this Court, through these appeals by

special leave, assailing the common judgement dated

17

th January, 2025, passed by the Division Bench of

High Court of judicature at Calcutta

2, whereby C.R.A.

(DB) 362 of 2024 preferred by the accused-appellant

under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal

1

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘accused-appellant’.

2

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘High Court’.

2

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

Procedure, 1973

3, was rejected on the ground of

being time barred and delayed.

4. The accused-appellant stood convicted for the

offences punishable under Sections 21(c) and 29 of

the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,

1985

4, vide judgment dated 24

th August, 2021

passed by the Judge, Special Court under NDPS Act

and Additional Sessions Judge, 12

th Court, Alipore,

24-Parganas (South), West Bengal

5. By the order of

sentence dated 26

th August, 2021, the trial Court

sentenced the accused-appellant to 10 years of

rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,00,000/-.

In default of payment of fine, the accused-appellant

was sentenced to undergo further rigorous

imprisonment for six months. As stated above, the

High Court refused to entertain the regular appeal

against conviction preferred by the accused-

appellant and dismissed the same on the ground of

delay alone.

3

For short, ‘CrPC’.

4

For short, ‘NDPS Act’.

5

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘trial Court.’

3

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

Facts of the case

5. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 16

th

July, 2018, at about 17:30 hours, seizure officer S. I.

Subrata Saha, i.e., PW-2

6 received a source

information that two male persons would be coming

to supply heroin in the vicinity of Pragati Maidan

P.S.

7 area in the evening of the same day. The

information was reduced into writing, and a copy

thereof was forwarded to the officer-in-charge of the

Narcotic Cell. The seizure officer (PW-2) took

permission of the officer-in-charge, and formed a

raiding team. He carried the weighing scale, testing

kit, packing materials, etc. and reached near Laxmi

Store, which fell under the jurisdiction of the police

station, at about 19:30 hours. The source informant

led them to the prescheduled location, and they

maintained a watch. At about 20 :00 hours, the

source informant pointed towards two male persons

coming along the Metropolitan from south to north

direction. Both of them were detained by the seizure

officer (PW-2) with the help of the members of the

raiding team.

6

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘seizure officer (PW-2).’

7

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘police station.’

4

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

6. Two independent persons were requested to

stand as panchas in the search. The purpose of

detention was disclosed to the detenues. The

detenues disclosed their identities as Amit Dutta @

Rakesh

8 (the co-accused) and Nadeem Ahamed (the

appellant herein). They were informed about their

right of being searched in the presence of either a

Magistrate or a Gazetted officer, as per Section 50 of

the NDPS Act. The detenues exercised the option to

be searched in the presence of a Gazetted officer.

However, no such officer was immediately available

in the vicinity. Therefore, the seizure officer (PW-2)

informed his superior officers.

7. At about 21:30 hours, Inspector Anand a

Swarup Nayak, Additional officer-in-charge, i.e.,

PW-4

9 came to the spot in uniform. He was

introduced as a Gazetted officer to the detenues, and

a re-confirmation was taken from both of them as to

whether they desired to be searched at the spot in the

presence of Gazetted officer (PW-4), to which they

agreed.

8

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘co-accused’

9

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘Gazetted officer (PW-4)’

5

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

8. After observation of necessary pre-search

formalities, the search of the co-accused Amit Dutta

was conducted and, from his possession, narcotic

drug, suspected to be heroin, weighing about 130

gms., some cash, a ring and a key, being personal

properties, were recovered. The accused-appellant

was also searched and narcotic drug, suspected to be

heroin, weighing 125 gms. was found stashed on his

person, along with some cash, being his personal

property. A small portion of the narcotic drug

recovered from each of the detenues was tested by

the drug testing kit, which gave a positive indication

for the presence of heroin.

9. The gross weight of the narcotic substance

recovered from both the detenues came to be about

255 gms. and thus, the seized contraband was

treated to be of commercial quantity. The drug

packets so recovered were seized, and sampling

procedure was carried out . One sample each,

weighing 10 gms., was collected from the individual

packets recovered from the detenues. The drug

packets were then packed, sealed and labelled as

Mark A and Mark B. The samples collected from both

the sealed packets were marked as S1 and S2.

6

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

10. As the detenues failed to give a satisfactory

explanation for the possession of the contraband,

both of them were arrested at about 00:30 hours on

17

th July, 2018. After investigation, a charge-sheet

was filed against both the accused for the offences

punishable under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the NDPS

Act. The samples collected from the recovered drug

packets were forwarded to the Forensic Science

Laboratory

10 for analysis. The test report concluded

that both the samples tested positive for the presence

of heroin.

Proceedings before the trial Court

11. The trial Court framed charges against the

accused-appellant and the co-accused for the

aforesaid offences. They pleaded not guilty and

claimed trial. The prosecution examined as many as

6 witnesses, exhibited 21 documents and produced

22 muddamal articles in order to prove its case.

12. After hearing the arguments advanced by the

Public Prosecutor and the defence counsel, the trial

Court proceeded to convict and sentence the

10

For short, ‘FSL’.

7

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

accused-appellant, as well as the co-accused, as

above, vide judgment dated 24

th August, 2021.

Proceedings before the High Court

13. The accused-appellant seems to have been

prevented from filing an appeal in time, and the

appeal against conviction under Section 374 (2)

CrPC, assailing the judgment of the trial Court, was

presented in the High Court with a delay of 1183

days.

14. It was pleaded in application for condonation

that the delay was caused due to the accused-

appellant’s financial crisis. However, the High Court

refused to condone the delay in filing of the appeal.

The High Court also took note of the fact that during

the intervening period, the appeal of the co-accused,

being Criminal Appeal No. 325 of 2021, had been

rejected vide judgment dated 23

rd September, 2022.

Accordingly, the appeal preferred by the accused-

appellant was dismissed solely on the ground of

delay. The said judgement dated 17

th January, 2025

has been assailed in the present appeals by special

leave.

8

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

15. Learned counsel for the accused-appellant has

advanced the following arguments to challenge his

conviction: -

i). That there was a total non-compliance of

the mandatory provisions of NDPS Act in

conducting the search and seizure.

ii). That the search and seizure proceedings

are full of contradictions and inherent

improbabilities and the same do not inspire

confidence.

iii). That the prosecution case is vitiated

because the seizure officer (PW-2) failed to

comply with the mandate of Section 52A of the

NDPS Act, inasmuch as neither were samples

drawn in presence of a Magistrate, nor was any

inventory prepared as per the requirement of

law.

iv). That the trial Judge committed a grave

error in holding that the recovered contraband

weighed more than the commercial quantity. In

this regard, it has been fervently contended

that there is no evidence on record to show that

the accused-appellant and the co-accused

were known to each other from before, or that

9

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

either of them had the prior knowledge of the

contraband allegedly possessed by the other.

16. He further submitted that conviction of the

accused-appellant for the offence punishable under

Section 29 of the NDPS Act is absolutely illegal, for

the simple reason that there is no evidence to justify

the charge of conspiracy.

17. The respondent-State of West Bengal, though

duly served, has chosen not to put in appearance

before this Court.

18. We have heard and considered the submissions

advanced by learned counsel for the accused-

appellant at the bar, and have gone through the

impugned judgment and the material placed on

record.

Discussion and Analysis

19. At the outset, we may note that the rejection of

the appeal preferred by the accused-appellant by the

High Court, simply on the ground of delay, was

uncalled for.

20. Given the fact that the accused-appellant was

incarcerated in prison from the date of his initial

apprehension, the rejection of the appeal on the sole

ground of delay was too harsh and unjustified in our

10

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

opinion. The High Court should have condoned the

delay and decided the appeal on merits, keeping in

view the fact that the accused-appellant was in

custody, and did not have the financial wherewithal

to file the appeal. We could have remanded the matter

to the High Court for reconsidering the appeal on

merits, but that would cause further delay. Thus, we

have proceeded to consider the merits of the matter.

21. Upon examination of the material placed on

record, we are of the firm opinion that the view taken

by the trial Court, that the contraband recovered in

this case was more than the commercial quantity, is

unjustified and illegal on the face of the record.

22. Merely because the two accused, walking side-

by-side, were apprehended simultaneously, and both

were carrying narcotic drug concealed on their body,

the said coincidental happening, by itself, would not

give rise to an inference that either of them had the

knowledge about the contraband being carried by the

other. These facts may give rise to a suspicion, but

suspicion, however, cannot take place of proof.

23. If at all the prosecution intended to bring home

the charge of conspiracy, and club the contraband

recovered from both the accused persons together,

11

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

then positive proof to support the charge of

conspiracy had to be presented. Such proof could not

be substituted with mere inferences or conjectures.

Positive and tangible evidence was necessary to

establish, beyond reasonable doubt, that both

accused persons had prior knowledge of the

contraband in the other’s possession. However, upon

carefully analysing the evidence available on record,

we find that, apart from the bald allegation that both

the accused were seen walking together and were

searched one after the other, not even a semblance of

evidence was led by the prosecution, which can

substantiate the charge of prior conspiracy between

the two accused persons.

24. Rather, upon going through the judgment of the

trial Court, we find that, without there being any

such evidence, the trial Court simply raised a

presumption as to the culpable mental state by

proceeding on an assumption that both the accused

were conscious and aware of the contents of the

packets stashed on the other’s person. Such

assumption is erroneous and absolutely unjustified

on the face of the record for want of evidence to

substantiate the same. Reference in this regard can

12

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

be made to the judgment of this Court in the case of

Amarsingh Ramjibhai Barot v. State of Gujarat

11

.

The relevant observations from the aforesaid

judgement are reproduced below:-

“7. The learned counsel appearing for the

appellant urged only one contention in support

of the present appeal. He contended that the

High Court fell into an error in taking the total

quantity of the offending substances recovered

from the two accused jointly and holding that the

said quantity was more than the commercial

quantity, warranting punishment under Section

21(c) of the NDPS Act. He contended that as far

as the appellant is concerned, the High Court

erred by assuming that there was criminal

conspiracy within the meaning of Section 29 of

the NDPS Act, and erroneously proceeded under

the said section. The High Court fell into a

further error of assuming that because Section

29 was applicable, the total quantity of opium

recovered was 920 grams plus 4 .250 kg. The

counsel urged that because of this error the High

Court took the wrong view that the total opium

recovered was of “commercial quantity” and,

therefore, attracted Section 21(c) of the NDPS

Act.

8. Although, at first blush, the argument of the

learned counsel appeared attractive, on careful

appreciation of the facts on record we are

satisfied that the High Court judgment is fully

justified and needs to be upheld. It is true that

the High Court proceeded on the footing that

there was a criminal conspiracy between the

appellant and the deceased Danabhai Virabhai

Rabari. In our view, however, there was no

warrant for this conclusion at all as there is

11

(2005) 7 SCC 550

13

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

no evidence to suggest that there was any

such abetment and/or criminal conspiracy

within the meaning of Section 29 of the NDPS

Act. The appellant and Danabhai Virabhai

Rabari were found together, but individually

carrying the recovered substances. Hence, it

was not possible for the High Court to take

the view that Section 29 was attracted.”

(Emphasis supplied)

25. Therefore, we have no hesitation in holding that

the trial Court committed a grave factual error in

concluding that the contraband heroin recovered

from two distinct individuals could be clubbed

together, so as to be covered under the commercial

quantity (above 250 gms.).

26. That apart, we find certain glaring infirmities

and discrepancies in the process of seizure, and

collection of samples undertaken by the seizure

officer (PW-2). Before we delve into these

inconsistencies, it is imperative to set out the

sequence of events commencing from 16

th July, 2018,

when the seizure officer (PW-2) received source

information regarding two individuals suspected of

carrying heroin, who were expected to be coming near

Laxmi Store, Pragati Maidan, Kolkata with the

contraband. Upon locating the suspected persons,

14

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

the seizure officer (PW-2) proceeded to search them,

which yielded to the discovery of a heat-sealed

transparent polythene packet containing a brown

powder/granular substance weighing 125 gms. from

the accused-appellant Nadeem, along with certain

Indian currency notes. A similar packet was

recovered from the co-accused Amit Dutta, which

weighed 130 gms. Both packets were punctured, and

one sample each was drawn from the same for the

purposes of sealing, marking, and labelling.

27. Upon returning to the police station, the seizure

officer (PW-2) handed over the seized contraband to

Ashish Das, the Officer-in-charge

12, directing him to

prepare an inventory list. The contraband was

thereafter deposited in the malkhana by S.I. Sandip

Datta (PW-1). The investigation was subsequently

entrusted to S.I. Debashish Barman (PW-6)

13, along

with custody of the seized contraband and the

collected samples. On 20

th July, 2018, investigation

officer (PW-6) attempted to deposit the samples at the

FSL. However, they were not accepted as he arrived

12

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘officer-in-charge’

13

Hereinafter, referred to as ‘investigation officer (PW-6)’

15

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

after the stipulated time. It was only on 23

rd July,

2018 that investigation officer (PW-6) succeeded in

depositing the samples for analysis.

28. While the above sequence of events appears to

form a continuous chain, the inconsistencies that

emerge therein are of such gravity that they cannot

be disregarded. These are as follows:-

(a) The seizure officer (PW-2) collected only one

sample each from the packets of the contraband

seized from the individual accused. This is in direct

contravention of Clause 2.2 of Standing Order No. 1

of 1989 dated 13

th June, 1989, issued by the Anti-

Smuggling Unit, Department of Revenue, Ministry of

Finance. The said clause stipulates:

“2.2 All the packages/containers shall be serially

numbered and kept in lots for Sampling.

Samples from the narcotic drugs and

psychotropic substances seized, shall be drawn

on the spot of recovery, in duplicate, in the

presence of search witnesses (Panchas) and the

person from whose possession the drug is

recovered, and a mention to this effect should

invariably be made in the panchnama drawn on

the spot.”

(Emphasis supplied)

The said standing order came up for

consideration before this Court in the case of Noor

16

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

Aga v. State of Punjab

14, wherein it was held that

the guidelines mentioned above should not only be

substantively complied with, but in a case involving

penal proceedings, the rigours of such guidelines

may be insisted upon. The manifest non-compliance

of the standing order in the present case is, therefore,

of considerable import.

(b) According to the testimony of the seizure officer

(PW-2), the Gazetted officer (PW-4), the independent

witnesses, and the detenues, including the accused-

appellant, signed the seizure list and the labels

affixed to the seized material, including the loose

labels. However, when the sample packets were

opened before the trial Court during evidence of the

seizure officer (PW-2), the labels contained only the

signatures of the witnesses, the seizure officer (PW-2)

and the panch witness. The signatures of the accused

were conspicuously absent from the packets, as per

the observations recorded in the deposition. To

substantiate this conclusion, we proceed to extract

the relevant excerpts from the seizure officer’s (PW-2)

evidence: -

14

(2008) 16 SCC 417.

17

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

“Thereafter, I seized the contraband as well as

the currency notes and the key under a seizure

list in presence of independent witnesses, the

Gazetted Officer as well as the member of the

raiding team and both the accused persons put

their signature in the seizure list. The GO,

independent witnesses as well as the other

member of the raiding team also put their

signatures in the seizure list.

…

The witness is shown a brown coloured envelope

it is sealed and labeled and marked as S1 he

identify the packet and stated that the packet

contained 10 gms of heroin from the mother

packet.

The brown coloured packet is marked as MAT

EXT - I. The label on the brown packet is

marked as MAT EXT - II and the signature of

the witness in the label is marked as MAT EXT

- II/1.

The brown coloured envelope is opened in

presence of Id. Advocate. From inside the packet

a transparent polythene packet containing

brown coloured powder/granules is brought out.

The witness identifies the powder to be the

sample which he had taken from th e mother

packet.

The packet is marked as MAT EXT - III. A

loose label is also brought out from inside the

brown packet. The label is marked as MAT

EXT - IV and the signature of the witness in

it is marked as MAT EXT - IV/1.

18

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

The witness is shown a brown coloured envelope

it is sealed and labeled and marked as 'S2'. He

identifies the packet and stated that the (sic)

packet contained 10 gms of Heroin from the

mother packet.

The brown coloured packet is marked as MAT

EXT - V. The label on the brown packet is

marked as MAT EXT - VI and the signature of

the witness in the label is marked as MAT EXT

- VI/1.

The brown coloured envelope, is opened in

presence of Id. Advocate. From inside the packet

a transparent polythene packet containing

brown coloured powder/granules is brought out.

The witness identifies the powder to be the

sample which he had taken from the mother

packet.

The packet is marked as MAT EXT - VII. A

loose label is also brought out from inside the

brown packet. The label is marked as MAT

EXT - VIII and the signature of the witness in

it is marked as MAT EXT - VIII/1.

After the sample, of 10 gms was taken out the

remaining portion of the contraband along with

the transparent packet recovered from the

possession of Amit Dutta was sealed labeled and

pack in a brown coloured packet after repairing

the punctured portion. The same was marked as

'A'.

The witness is shown a brown coloured envelope

which is sealed and labeled and marked as A" he

19

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

identifies the packet and stated that it contained

remaining portion of the contraband which was

recovered from the possession of the accused

Amit Dutta (sic). The brown col oured (sic)

envelop is marked as MAT EXT - IX. The label

in it is marked as MAT EXT - X. The signature

of the witness on the label is marked as MAT

EXT - X/1.

The brown coloured envelope is opened in court

in presence of the Ld. Advocate.

A loose label and a polythene packet containing

brown coloured substance is brought out.

The witness identifies the brown substance and

stated that it is the remaining portion of the

contraband recovered from the possession of

Amit Dutta.

The packet containing the brown substance is

marked as MAT EXT - XI. The loose label is

marked as MAT EXT - XII and the signature of

the witness in the label is marked as MAT EXT

- XII/1.

After the sample of 10 gms was taken out the

remaining portion of the contraband along with

the transparent packet recovered from the

possession of Amit Dutta was sealed labeled and

pack in a brown coloured packet after. Repairing

the punctured portion. The same was marked, as

'B'.

The witness is shown a brown coloured envelope

which is (sic) sealed and labeled and marked as

20

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

'B'. He identifies the packet and stated that it

contained the remaining portion of the

contraband which was recovered from the

possession of the accused Nadim Ahmed. The

brown coloured envelop is marked as MAT EXT

- XIII. The label in it is marked as MAT EXT -

XIV. The signature of the witness on the label is

marked as MAT EXT - XIV/1.

The brown coloured envelope is opened in court

in presence of the Ld. (sic) Advocate.

A loose label and a polythene packet containing

brown coloured substance is brought out.

The witness identifies the brown substance and

stated that it is the remaining portion of the

contraband recovered from (sic) the possession

of Amit Dutta.

The packet containing the brown substance is

marked as MAT EXT - XV. The loose label is

marked as MAT EXT - XVI and the signature of

the witness in the label is marked as MAT EXT

- XVI/1.”

A careful perusal of the above excerpt from the

evidence of the seizure officer (PW-2) makes it clear

that neither the mother packet, nor the sample

packets, bore the signatures of the accused-

appellant, when the same were opened and exhibited

as material objects, during evidence of the aforesaid

witness before the trial Court.

21

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

(c) The seizure officer (PW-2) did not prepare any

separate seizure list for the samples drawn from the

accused-appellant. Likewise, no “test memo” or

“weighment chart” was prepared at the spot.

Furthermore, no specimen seal memo was proved by

the seizure officer (PW-2), as is evident from his

deposition at trial.

(d) Although two independent witnesses were

associated with the investigation, only one was

examined by the prosecution, without any

explanation for the omission to examine the other.

(e) Most significantly, there has been a complete

failure by the prosecution to comply with the

important procedural requirement, as provided

under sub-section (2) of Section 52A of the NDPS

Act.

15 A perusal of the record makes it clear that there

15

“Where any [narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, controlled

substances or conveyances] has been seized and forwarded to the officer-

in-charge of the nearest police station or to the officer empowered under

Section 53, the officer referred to in sub-section (1) shall prepare an

inventory of such [narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, controlled

substances or conveyances] containing such details relating to their

description, quality, quantity, mode of packing, marks, numbers or such

other identifying particulars of the [narcotic drugs, psychotropic

substances, controlled substances or conveyances] or the packing in which

they are packed, country of origin and other particulars as the officer

referred to in sub-section (1) may consider relevant to the identity of the

[narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, controlled substances or

conveyances] in any proceedings under this Act and make an application,

to any Magistrate for the purpose of— (a) certifying the correctness of the

inventory so prepared; or (b) taking, in the presence of such Magistrate,

22

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

was no effort whatsoever, either by the seizure officer

(PW-2), or the officer-in-charge, to undertake the

procedure of sampling and inventory in presence of a

Magistrate, in light of the aforesaid provision. The

trial Court also noted that the seizure officer (PW-2)

has even failed to state as to whether any inventory

list had been prepared at the time of the raid.

29. In view of the above discussion, this Court is

compelled to hold that there has been a complete and

unexplained failure to adhere to the requirements of

Section 52A. Neither representative samples were

drawn in the presence of a Magistrate, nor was the

inventory list prepared and certified, as required by

law. These lapses strike at the very root of the

prosecution case, rendering the integrity of the

seizure and sampling process wholly doubtful.

30. We may hasten to add that the procedure under

Section 52A of the NDPS Act has not been considered

to be mandatory by this Court, but the facts taken

cumulatively, i.e., the non-drawing of the samples in

light of the Standing Order no. 1 of 1989, and the

photographs of [such drugs, substances or conveyances] and certifying

such photographs as true; or (c) allowing to draw representative samples

of such drugs or substances, in the presence of such Magistrate and

certifying the correctness of any list of samples so drawn.”

23

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

complete non-compliance of Section 52A of the NDPS

Act, makes the entire procedure of seizure and

sampling a total farce, and thereby, unworthy of

credence.

31. In this view of the matter, we are of the firm

opinion that the FSL report loses significance on

account of the flawed sampling procedure

undertaken by the seizure officer (PW-2), coupled

with the fact that there has been a total failure by the

officer-in-charge to comply with the procedure

provided under Section 52A of the NDPS Act.

32. In the wake of discussion made hereinabove, we

are of the firm opinion that the FSL report cannot be

read in evidence and consequently, there is no

acceptable evidence on record to prove that the article

recovered from the accused-appellant was the

narcotic drug heroin, as defined under the Schedule

to the NDPS Act.

33. Consequently, the impugned judgments do not

stand to scrutiny and are hereby quashed and set

aside. The accused-appellant is acquitted of the

charges. He shall be released from custody forthwith,

if not wanted in any other case.

34. The appeals are allowed accordingly.

24

SLP (Crl.) No (s). 9446-9447 of 2025

35. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand

disposed of.

….……………………J.

(ARAVIND KUMAR )

...…………………….J.

(SANDEEP MEHTA)

NEW DELHI;

AUGUST 05, 2025.

Reference cases

Description

Supreme Court Overturns Conviction Citing Flawed Procedure and Lack of Conspiracy Evidence in NDPS Case

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India in *Nadeem Ahamed v. The State of West Bengal*, 2025 INSC 993, addressed critical issues surrounding **NDPS Act cases** and the proper handling of **delay in criminal appeals**. This detailed judgment, now available on CaseOn, highlights the judiciary's commitment to procedural integrity and fair trial, even in serious narcotics offenses. It serves as a crucial reference for understanding the stringent requirements for proving conspiracy and ensuring proper sampling and seizure under the NDPS Act.

Case Background

Nadeem Ahamed, the accused-appellant, was convicted under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), by a Special Court in Alipore, West Bengal. He was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,00,000/- for possessing what the trial court determined to be a commercial quantity of heroin (125 gms from him and 130 gms from a co-accused, clubbed together to 255 gms). The High Court, however, dismissed his appeal against conviction on the sole ground of an unexplained delay of 1183 days, attributed by the appellant to financial difficulties and his incarceration. This led Nadeem Ahamed to approach the Supreme Court through a special leave appeal.

Key Issues Raised

1. **Delay in Filing Appeal:** Was the High Court justified in dismissing a criminal appeal solely on the ground of delay, especially when the appellant was incarcerated and claimed financial hardship? 2. **Clubbing of Contraband Quantities:** Could the quantities of narcotic drugs recovered individually from two distinct accused persons be clubbed together to determine a 'commercial quantity' without concrete evidence of criminal conspiracy or prior knowledge? 3. **Procedural Non-Compliance in Search, Seizure, and Sampling:** Were there significant failures by the prosecution to adhere to mandatory provisions of the NDPS Act and relevant Standing Orders regarding search, seizure, and the collection of samples?

Rule: Legal Framework Applied

To address these issues, the Supreme Court relied on several legal principles and statutory provisions: * **Section 374(2) of the CrPC, 1973:** Governs appeals from convictions by a Sessions Judge. * **Sections 21(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985:** Deal with punishment for offenses involving commercial quantities and criminal conspiracy, respectively. * **Section 50 of the NDPS Act:** Stipulates the right of a person to be searched in the presence of a Magistrate or a Gazetted Officer. * **Section 52A of the NDPS Act:** Outlines the procedure for the disposal of seized narcotic drugs, requiring inventory and sampling in the presence of a Magistrate. * **Standing Order No. 1 of 1989, Clause 2.2:** Issued by the Anti-Smuggling Unit, Department of Revenue, mandating that samples from seized substances be drawn *in duplicate* on the spot. * **Precedent - *Amarsingh Ramjibhai Barot v. State of Gujarat* (2005) 7 SCC 550:** Emphasizes that clubbing of quantities and application of conspiracy charges (Section 29) requires positive proof, not mere inference. * **Precedent - *Noor Aga v. State of Punjab* (2008) 16 SCC 417:** Reiterates the importance of substantive compliance with guidelines in penal proceedings.

Analysis: The Supreme Court's Reasoning

The Supreme Court meticulously analyzed the High Court's decision and the prosecution's case, reaching several critical conclusions:

High Court's Error in Dismissing Appeal on Delay

The Court found the High Court's decision to dismiss the appeal solely on the ground of delay to be "uncalled for" and "too harsh and unjustified." Given the accused-appellant's incarceration and stated financial crisis, the Court felt it should have condoned the delay and heard the appeal on its merits. To prevent further delay, the Supreme Court itself proceeded to examine the merits of the case.

Unjustified Clubbing of Contraband and Conspiracy Charge

The Supreme Court firmly held that the trial court committed a "grave factual error" in clubbing the quantities of heroin recovered from the two distinct individuals (125 gms from Ahamed and 130 gms from co-accused Amit Dutta). The Court stressed that merely apprehending two individuals walking side-by-side, each carrying drugs, does not automatically imply knowledge of the other's possession or a conspiracy. Such circumstances might raise suspicion, but "suspicion, however, cannot take place of proof." The prosecution failed to present any positive and tangible evidence to substantiate the charge of criminal conspiracy under Section 29 of the NDPS Act. The Court referenced the *Amarsingh Ramjibhai Barot* judgment, which clarified that without evidence of abetment or conspiracy, quantities recovered from individuals cannot be clubbed.

Glaring Procedural Infirmities in Seizure and Sampling

The Court identified several significant discrepancies and non-compliances that undermined the entire prosecution case: 1. **Non-Compliance with Standing Order No. 1 of 1989:** The seizure officer (PW-2) drew only one sample from each packet of contraband, directly contravening the mandate of Clause 2.2 of the Standing Order, which requires samples to be drawn *in duplicate*. 2. **Discrepancies in Signatures on Labels:** While the seizure officer (PW-2) testified that both accused signed the seizure list and labels, the Court observed that when the sample packets were opened during the trial, the accused's signatures were "conspicuously absent" from the labels. This casts doubt on the integrity of the evidence. 3. **Lack of Proper Documentation:** No separate seizure list was prepared for the samples, nor were any "test memo" or "weighment chart" prepared at the spot. A specimen seal memo was also not proved. 4. **Failure to Examine Witnesses:** Only one of the two independent witnesses associated with the investigation was examined, with no explanation for the omission of the other. 5. **Complete Non-Compliance with Section 52A:** Crucially, the prosecution entirely failed to comply with Section 52A(2) of the NDPS Act. Neither were representative samples drawn in the presence of a Magistrate, nor was an inventory list prepared and certified as required by law. The trial court itself noted this failure. These lapses, taken cumulatively, were deemed to "strike at the very root of the prosecution case, rendering the integrity of the seizure and sampling process wholly doubtful." Consequently, the FSL report lost its significance due to the flawed sampling procedure, leaving no acceptable evidence to prove that the recovered article was, in fact, heroin. For legal professionals and students looking to quickly grasp the nuances of such rulings, CaseOn.in offers 2-minute audio briefs that distill the complex legal arguments and findings into easily digestible formats, aiding in efficient case analysis and study.

Conclusion: Judgment and Implications

Based on the profound procedural irregularities and the lack of evidence for criminal conspiracy, the Supreme Court concluded that the impugned judgments of both the High Court and the trial court could not withstand scrutiny. The Court, therefore, quashed and set aside the conviction and sentence against Nadeem Ahamed. He was acquitted of all charges and ordered to be released from custody forthwith, unless required in any other case. The appeals were allowed.

Why This Judgment is an Important Read for Lawyers and Students

This judgment is a crucial read for several reasons: * **Emphasis on Procedural Compliance:** It powerfully reiterates the absolute necessity for strict compliance with the mandatory provisions of the NDPS Act and allied Standing Orders regarding search, seizure, and sampling. Any deviation can be fatal to the prosecution's case. * **Clarification on Conspiracy Charges:** The ruling provides significant clarity on the burden of proof for criminal conspiracy under Section 29 of the NDPS Act, especially when dealing with multiple accused and individually recovered contraband. It underscores that mere association or simultaneous apprehension is insufficient. * **Right to Appeal and Condonation of Delay:** The Court's stance on condoning delay in appeals, particularly for incarcerated individuals facing financial hardship, is a vital reaffirmation of the right to justice and the need for a liberal approach in such circumstances. * **Integrity of Evidence:** It highlights how flaws in the evidence chain, such as missing signatures on labels or improper sampling, can render crucial forensic reports inadmissible or devoid of evidentiary value. This case serves as a benchmark for how courts should evaluate procedural integrity in NDPS cases and reinforces fundamental principles of criminal jurisprudence. **Disclaimer:** All information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified legal professional for advice on specific legal issues.

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