The Supreme Court overturned a Punjab and Haryana High Court decision to grant bail to an accused involved in a heroin recovery case. The apex court emphasized the importance of upholding the country’s sovereignty over personal liberty in cases where drugs threaten national security. The accused, Balraj Singh alias Billa, was implicated in a case involving the recovery of 1.465 kg of heroin.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court highlighted the necessity for courts to adhere strictly to the conditions outlined in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act before granting bail in cases related to commercial quantities of narcotics. The court stated that national sovereignty must take precedence over personal freedom, especially in situations where the nation faces threats like drug trafficking.
The case originated from an FIR filed in January 2024 after police seized 1.465 kg of heroin from individuals in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district. The respondent was accused based on statements made by co-accused individuals, alleging his involvement in directing the collection and storage of the contraband for further distribution while incarcerated in Central Jail, Goindwal Sahib.
The Supreme Court found that the High Court had overlooked the mandatory restrictions specified under Section 37 of the NDPS Act when granting bail to the respondent. The apex court emphasized that a lenient approach towards bail in cases involving significant drug quantities is impermissible and stressed the need for courts to ensure the accused is unlikely to commit further offenses while on bail.
