Rajasthan High Court Denies NDPS Bail Despite Extended Custody

The Rajasthan High Court on 6 October denied bail to a man accused over the recovery of 210 kilograms of poppy straw, holding that prolonged custody alone did not overcome the statutory restrictions for commercial-quantity narcotics cases. The Court found the record prima facie connected the applicant to the shed where the contraband was found and treated conscious possession as a matter for trial. It also rejected an objection to the searching officer’s territorial authority, noting that the district police chief had specifically authorised the officer and that prior information was recorded and forwarded to superiors. Arrest records likewise undermined the claim that no grounds were communicated. Because the applicant had not satisfied the twin conditions under Section 37 of the NDPS Act and had not served half the maximum sentence, the Court dismissed the application without commenting on guilt.