The Supreme Court of India rendered a judgment in criminal appeal nos. 2319-2320 of 2009, arising out of a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The appellants, Smt. Najmunisha and Abdul Hamid Chandmiya, were convicted based on statements recorded under Section 67 of the NDPS Act. However, the Court held that such statements are inadmissible as confessional statements and cannot be used to convict the accused. As a result, the appellants were acquitted of the charges against them due to lack of admissible evidence. The judgment highlighted the importance of statutory compliance in search and seizure operations under the NDPS Act, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to legal procedures.
Smt Najmunisha Vs State of Gujarat decided by the Supreme Court of India on April 9, 2024.