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Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2001

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  1. Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
  2. Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2001.
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  Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2001. List of acts
 
  

THE NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC

SUBSTANCES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2001

ACT NO. 9 OF 2001

[9th May, 2001.]

  

An Act further to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-second Year of the  Republic of India as follows –

 

1.         Short title and commencement –

            (1)        This Act may be called the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2001.

            (2)        It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint; and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act, and any reference in any provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision.



Amendment of section 1

 
 

2.         Amendment of section 1 –

            In the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in section 1, in sub-section (2), after the words "whole of India", the following shall be inserted, namely –

            "and it applies also –

            (a)        to all citizens of India outside India;

            (b)        to all persons on ships and aircrafts registered in India, wherever they may be".

 

3.         Amendment of section 2 –

            In section 2 of the principal Act –

            (a)        for clause (i), the following clause shall be substituted, namely –

                        ‘(i) "addict" means a person who has dependence on any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance;’

            (b)        clause (viia)  shall be relettered as clause (viid) and before clause (viid) as so relettered, the following clauses shall be inserted, namely –

                        (viia)      "commercial quantity", in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, means any quantity greater than the quantity specified by the Central Government by notification in the  Official Gazette;

                        (viib)      "controlled delivery" means the technique of allowing illicit or suspect consignments of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, controlled substances or substances substituted for them to pass out of, or through or into the territory of India with the knowledge and under the supervision of an officer empowered in this behalf or duly authorised under section 50A with a view to identifying the persons involved in the commission of an offence under this Act;

                        (viic)      "corresponding law" means any law corresponding to the provisions of this Act;

            (c)        after clause (xxiii), the following clause shall be inserted, namely –

                        (xxiiia)   "small quantity", in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, means any quantity lesser than the quantity specified by the Central Government by notification in the  Official Gazette.



Amendment of section 7A

 
 

4.         Amendment of section 7A –

            In section 7A of the principal Act, for sub-sections (2) and (3), the following sub-sections shall be substituted, namely –

            (2)        The Fund shall be applied by the Central Government to meet the expenditure incurred in connection with the measures taken for –

                       (a)        combating illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or controlled substances;

                        (b)        controlling the abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;

                        (c)        identifying, treating, rehabilitating addicts;

                        (d)        preventing drug abuse;

                        (e)        educating public against drug abuse; and

                        (f)         supplying drugs to addicts where such supply is a medical necessity.

            (3)        The Central Government may constitute a Governing Body as it thinks fit to advise that Government and to sanction money out of the said Fund subject to the limit notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette.

 

5.         Insertion of new section 8A –

            After section 8 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely –

            8A.       Prohibition of certain activities relating to property derived from offence.  No person shall –

                        (a)        convert or transfer any property knowing that such  property  is derived  from  an offence committed under this Act or under any other corresponding law of any other country or from an act of participation in  such  offence, for the purpose of concealing  or disguising the illicit  origin  of the  property  or to assist any person  in  the commission of an offence or to evade the legal consequences; or

                        (b)        conceal or disguise the true nature, source, location, disposition of any property knowing that such property is derived from an offence committed under this Act or under any other corresponding law of  any other country; or

                        (c)        knowingly acquire, possess or use any property which was  derived from an offence committed under this Act or under any other corresponding law of any other country.

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Substitution of new sections for sections 15 to 18

 
 

6.         Substitution of new sections for sections 15 to 18.

            For sections 15 to 18 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be substituted, namely –

            15.        Punishment for contravention in relation to poppy straw –

                        Whoever, in contravention of any provisions of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of a licence granted thereunder, produces, possesses, transports,  imports   inter-State,  exports  inter-State, sells, purchases, uses or omits to warehouse poppy straw or removes or does  any  act  in  respect of  warehoused poppy  straw  shall   be punishable –

                        (a)        where the contravention involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment  for a term which may extend to six months, or with  fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both;

                        (b)        where the contravention involves quantity lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous  imprisonment for a  term which may extend to ten years, and with fine  which  may extend to one lakh rupees;

                        (c)        where the contravention involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less  than ten years but which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be  liable to  fine  which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but  which  may extend to two lakh rupees:

                                    Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupees.

            16.        Punishment for contravention in relation to coca plant and coca leaves –

                        Whoever, in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence granted there under, cultivates any coca plant or gathers any portion of a coca plant or produces, possesses, sells, purchases, transports, imports inter-State, exports inter-State or uses coca leaves shall be punishable with rigourous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.

            17.        Punishment for contravention in relation to prepared opium –

                        Whoever, in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence granted thereunder, manufactures, possesses, sells, purchases, transports, imports inter-State,  exports  inter-State or uses prepared opium shall be punishable –

                        (a)        where the contravention involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with  fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both; or

                        (b)        where the contravention involves quantity lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous  imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and with fine  which  may extend to one lakh rupees; or

                        (c)        where the contravention involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees:

                                    Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupees.

            18.        Punishment for contravention in relation to opium poppy and opium –

                        Whoever, in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence granted thereunder, cultivates the opium poppy or produces, manufactures, possesses, sells, purchases, transports, imports inter-State, exports inter-State or uses opium shall be punishable –

                        (a)        where the contravention involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment  for a term which may extend to six months, or with  fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both;

                        (b)        where the contravention involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be  liable to fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees which may extend to two lakh rupees:

                                    Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupees;

                        (c)        in any other case, with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to ten years and with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.

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Amendment of section 20

 
 

7.         Amendment of section 20.

            In section 20 of the principal Act, in clause (b), for sub-clauses (i) and (ii), the following sub-clauses shall be substituted, namely –

            (i)         where such contravention relates to clause (a) with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to one lakh rupees; and

            (ii)         where such contravention relates to sub-clause (b) –

                        (A)        and involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which  may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to  ten thousand rupees, or with both;

                        (B)        and involves quantity lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which  may extend to ten  years,  and with fine which may extend  to  one  lakh rupees;

                        (C)        and involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years which may extend to twenty years and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees:

                                    Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupees.

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Substitution of new sections for sections 21 to 23.-For sections 21 to 23 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be substituted, namely

 
 

8.         Substitution of new sections for sections 21 to 23.-For sections 21 to 23 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be substituted, namely –

            21.        Punishment for contravention in relation to manufactured drugs and preparations –

                        Whoever, in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence granted thereunder, manufactures, possesses, sells, purchases, transports, imports inter-State, exports inter-State or uses any manufactured drug or any preparation containing any manufactured drug shall be punishable –

                        (a)        where the contravention involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment  for a term which may extend to six months, or with  fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both;

                        (b)        where the contravention involves quantity, lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and with fine  which may extend to one lakh rupees;

                        (c)        where the contravention involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be  liable to  fine  which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but  which  may extend to two lakh rupees:

                                    Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupees.

            22.        Punishment for contravention in relation to psychotropic substance –

                        Whoever, in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence granted thereunder, manufacturers, possesses, sells, purchases, transports, imports inter-State, exports  inter-State or uses any psychotropic  substance shall be punishable –

                        (a)        where the contravention involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with  fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both;

                        (b)        where the contravention involves quantity, lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and with fine  which  may extend to one lakh rupees;

                        (c)        where the contravention involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less  than ten years but which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but  which  may extend to two lakh rupees:

                                    Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupees.

            23.        Punishment for illegal import into India, export from India or transhipment of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances –

                        Whoever, in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence or permit granted or certificate or authorization issued thereunder, imports into India or exports from India or tranships any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance shall be punishable –

                        (a)        where the contravention involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment  for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both;

                        (b)        where the contravention involves quantity, lesser than commercial quantity  but greater than small quantity, with rigorous  imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and with fine  which may extend to one lakh rupees;

                        (c)        where the contravention involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less  than ten years but which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be  liable to fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees:

                                    Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupees.

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Substitution of new section for section 25

 
 

9.         Substitution of new section for section 25.

            25.        Substitution of new section for section 25.-For section 25 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely –

                        "25. Punishment for allowing premises, etc., to be used for commission of an offence.-Whoever, being the owner or occupier or having the control or use of any house, room, enclosure, space, place, animal or conveyance, knowingly permits it to be used for the commission by any other person of an offence punishable under any provision of this Act, shall be punishable with the punishment provided for that offence."



Substitution of new section for section 27

 
 

10.        Substitution of new section for section 27.

            For section 27 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely –

            27.        Punishment for consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.- Whoever consumes any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance shall be punishable –

                        (a)        where the narcotic drug or psychotropic substance consumed is cocaine, morphine, diacetyl-morphine or any other narcotic drug or any psychotropic substance as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, or with both; and

                        (b)        where the narcotic drug or psychotropic substance consumed is other than those specified in or under clause (a), with  imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine  which  may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.

 

11.        Amendment of section 30.

            In section 30 of the principal Act, for the words, figures and brackets "section 15 to section 25 (both inclusive) and from the circumstances of the case", the words, figures and letter "sections 19, 24 and 27A and for offences involving commercial quantity of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance and from the circumstances of the case" shall be substituted.

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Substitution of new section for section 31

 
 

12.        Substitution of new section for section 31.

            For section 31 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely –

            31.        Enhanced punishment for offences after previous conviction –

                        (1)        If any person who has been convicted of the commission of, or attempt to commit, or abetment of, or criminal conspiracy to commit, any of the offences punishable under this Act is subsequently convicted of the commission of, or attempt to commit, or abetment of, or criminal conspiracy to commit, an offence punishable under this Act with the same amount of punishment shall be punished for the second and every subsequent  offence with rigorous imprisonment for a term which  may extend to one-half of the maximum term of imprisonment, and also be liable to fine which shall extend to one-half of the maximum amount of fine.

                        (2)        Where the person referred to in sub-section (1) is liable to be punished with a minimum term of imprisonment and to a minimum amount of fine, the minimum punishment for such person shall be one-half of the minimum term of imprisonment and one-half of the minimum amounts of fine:

                                    Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding the fine for which a person is liable.

                        (3)        Where any person is convicted by a competent court of criminal jurisdiction outside India under any corresponding law, such person, in respect of such conviction, shall be dealt with for the purposes of sub-sections (1) and (2) as if he had been convicted by a  court  in India.

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Amendment of section 31A

 
 

13.        Amendment of section 31A.

            In section 31A of the principal Act –

            (a)        in sub-section (1) –

                        (i)         for the words, figures, brackets and letter "section 15 to section 25  (both  inclusive) or section 27A", the words, figures and letter "section 19, section 24, section 27A and for offences involving commercial quantity of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance" shall be substituted;

                        (ii)         in sub-clause (a), in the Table, in column (2), against entry (viii), for the figures and word "1,500 grams", the words "lesser of the quantity between the quantities given against the respective narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances mentioned above forming part of the mixture" shall be substituted;

            (b)        in sub-section (2), for the words, figures, brackets and letter "section 15 to section 25 (both inclusive), section 27A, section 28 or section 29", the words, figures and letter "section 19, section 24 or section  27A and  for offences involving commercial quantity of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance" shall be substituted.

 

14.        Insertion of new section 32B.-After section 32A of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely –

            32B.     Factors to be taken into account for imposing higher than the minimum punishment –

                        Where a minimum term of imprisonment or amount of fine is prescribed for any offence committed under this Act, the court may, in addition to such factors as it may deem fit, take into account the following factors for imposing a punishment higher  than the minimum term of imprisonment or amount of fine, namely –

                        (a)        the use or threat of use of violence or arms by the offender;

                        (b)        the fact that the offender holds a public office and that he has taken advantage of that office in committing the offence;

                        (c)        the fact that the minors are affected by the offence or the minors are used for the commission of an offence;

                        (d)        the fact that the offence is committed in an educational institution or social service facility or in the immediate vicinity of such institution or faculty or in other place to which school children and students resort for educational, sports and social activities;

                        (e)        the fact that the offender belongs to organised international or any other criminal group which is involved in the commission of  the offence; and

                        (f)         the fact that the offender is involved in other illegal activities facilitated by commission of the offence.

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Substitution of new section for section 36A

 
 

15.        Substitution of new section for section 36A.

            For section 36A of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely –

            36A.     Offences triable by Special Courts –

                        (1)        Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) –

                                    (a)        all offences under this Act which are punishable with imprisonment for a term of more than three years shall be triable only by the Special Court constituted for the area in which the offence has been committed or where there are more Special Courts than one for such area, by such one of them as may be specified in this behalf by the Government;

                                    (b)        where a person accused of or suspected of the commission of an offence  under this Act is forwarded to a Magistrate under sub-section (2)  or  sub-section  (2A)  of section 167 of  the  Code  of  Criminal Procedure,  1973  (2 of  1974), such  Magistrate  may  authorise the detention of such person in such custody as he thinks fit for a period not exceeding  fifteen days in the whole where such Magistrate is a Judicial Magistrate and seven days in the whole where such Magistrate is an Executive Magistrate:

                                                Provided that in cases which are triable by the Special Court where such Magistrate considers –

                                                (i)         when such person is forwarded to him as aforesaid; or

                                                (ii)         upon or at any time before the expiry of the period of detention authorised by him, that  the detention of such person is unnecessary, he shall order such person to be forwarded to the Special Court having jurisdiction;

                                    (c)        the Special Court may exercise, in relation to the person forwarded to it under clause (b), the same power which a Magistrate having jurisdiction to try a case may exercise under section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), in relation to an accused person in such case who has been forwarded to him under that section;

                                    (d)        a Special Court may, upon perusal of police report of the  facts constituting an offence under this Act or upon complaint made by an officer of the Central Government or a State Government authorised in this behalf, take cognizance of that offence without the accused being committed to it for trial.

                        (2)        When trying an offence under this Act, a Special Court may also try an offence other than an offence under this Act with which the accused may, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of  1974), be charged at the same trial.

                        (3)        Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to affect the special powers of the High Court regarding bail under section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), and the High Court may exercise such powers including the power under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of that section as if the reference to "Magistrate" in that section included also a reference to a "Special Court" constituted under section 36.

                        (4)        In respect of persons accused of an offence punishable under section 19 or section 24 or section 27A or for  offences  involving commercial quantity the references in sub-section (2) of section  167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) thereof to "ninety days", where they occur, shall be construed as reference to "one hundred and eighty days":

                                    Provided that, if it is not possible to complete the investigation within the said period of one hundred and eighty days, the Special Court may extend the said period up to one year on the report of the Public Prosecutor indicating the progress of the investigation and the specific reasons for the detention of the accused beyond the said period of one hundred and eighty days.

                        (5)        Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the offences punishable under this Act with imprisonment for a term of not more than three years may be tried summarily.

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Substitution of new section for section 36D

 
 

16.        Substitution of new section for section 36D.

            For section 36D of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely –

            36D.     Transitional provisions –

                        (1)        Any offence committed under this Act on or after the commencement of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 1988 (2 of 1989), which is triable by a Special Court shall, until a Special Court is constituted under section 36, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), be tried by a Court of Session.

                        (2)        Where any proceedings in relation to any offence committed under this Act on or after the commencement of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 1988 (2 of 1989) are pending before a Court of Session, then, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), such proceeding shall be heard and disposed of by the Court of Session:

                                    Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall affect the power  of  the  High Court under section 407 of the Code  of  Criminal Procedure,  1973  (2 of 1974) to transfer any case or class of cases taken cognizance by a Court of Session under sub-section (1).



Amendment of section 37

 
 

17.        Amendment of section 37.

            In section 37 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), in clause (b), for the words "a term of imprisonment of five years or more under this Act", the words, figures and letter "offences under section 19 or section 24 or section 27A and also for offences involving commercial quantity" shall be substituted.

 

18.        Amendment of section 39.

            In section 39 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), after the words and figures "under section 27", the words "or for offences relating to small quantity of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance" shall be inserted.

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Substitution of new sections for section 41 to 43

 
 

19.        Substitution of new sections for section 41 to 43.

            For sections 41 to 43 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be substituted, namely –

            41.        Power to issue warrant and authorization –

                        (1)        A Metropolitan Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class or any Magistrate of the second class specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf, may issue a warrant for the arrest of any person whom he has reason to believe to have committed any offence punishable under this Act, or for the search, whether by day or by night, of any building, conveyance or place in which he has reason to believe any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance or controlled substance in respect of which an offence punishable under this Act has been committed or any document or other article which may furnish evidence of the commission of such offence or any illegally acquired property or any document or other  article  which may furnish evidence of holding  any  illegally acquired property which is liable for seizure or freezing  or forfeiture under Chapter VA of this Act is kept or concealed.

                        (2)        Any such officer of gazetted rank of the departments of central excise, narcotics, customs, revenue intelligence or any other department of the Central Government including the para-military forces or the armed forces as is empowered in this behalf by  general or special order by the Central Government, or any such officer of the revenue, drugs control, excise, police or any other department of a State  Government as if empowered in this behalf by general or special order of the State  Government if he has reason to believe  from personal  knowledge or information given by any person and  taken in writing that any person has committed an offence punishable under this Act or that any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance or controlled substance  in  respect  of which any offence under this Act has  been committed or any document or other article which may furnish evidence of  the commission of such offence or any illegally acquired  property or any document or other article which may furnish evidence of holding any illegally  acquired property  which is  liable for seizure or freezing or forfeiture under  Chapter VA of this  Act is kept or concealed in any building, conveyance or place, may  authorise  any officer subordinate to him but superior in rank to a peon, sepoy or a constable to arrest such a person or search a building, conveyance or place  whether  by day or by night or himself arrest such a person or search a building, conveyance or place.

                        (3)        The officer to whom a warrant under sub-section (1) is addressed and the officer who authorised the arrest or search or the officer who is so authorised under sub-section (2) shall have all the powers of an officer acting under section 42.

            42.        Power of entry, search, seizure and arrest without warrant or authorization –

                        (1)        Any such officer (being an officer superior in rank to a peon, sepoy or constable) of the departments of central excise, narcotics, customs, revenue intelligence or any other department of the Central Government including para-military or armed forces as is empowered in this behalf by general or special order by the Central Government, or any such officer (being an officer superior in rank to a  peon, sepoy or constable) of the revenue, drugs control, excise, police or any other department of a State Government as is  empowered in this behalf by general knowledge or information given by any person and  taken  down  in writing that any narcotic drug, or psychotropic substance,  or controlled  substance in respect of which an offence punishable under this Act has been committed or any document or other article  which may furnish evidence of the commission of such offence or  any  illegally acquired property or any document or other  article which  may furnish evidence of holding any illegally acquired property which is liable for seizure or freezing or forfeiture under Chapter VA of this Act is kept or concealed in any building, conveyance or enclosed place, may between sunrise and subset –

                                    (a)        enter into and search any such building, conveyance or place;

                                    (b)        in case of resistance, break open any door and remove any obstacle to such entry;

                                    (c)        seize such drug or substance and all materials used in the manufacture thereof and any other article and any animal or conveyance which he has reason to believe to be liable to confiscation under this Act and any document or other article which he has reason to believe may furnish evidence of the commission of any offence punishable under this Act or furnish  evidence of holding any illegally acquired property  which is liable for seizure or freezing or forfeiture  under Chapter VA of this Act;  and

                                    (d)        detail and search, and, if he thinks proper, arrest any person whom he has reason to believe to have committed any offence punishable under this Act:

                                                Provided that if such officer has reason to believe that a search warrant or authorisation cannot be obtained without affording opportunity for the concealment of evidence or facility for the escape of an offender, he may enter and search such building, conveyance or enclosed place at any time between sunset and sunrise after recording the grounds of his belief.

                        (2)        Where an officer takes down any information in writing under sub-section (1) or records grounds for his belief under the proviso thereto, he shall within seventy-two hours send a copy thereof to his immediate official superior.

            43.        Power of seizure and arrest in public place.-Any officer of any of the departments mentioned in section 42 may –

                        (a)        seize in any public place or in transit, any narcotic drug or psychotropic  substance or controlled substance in respect of which he has reason  to believe an offence punishable under this Act has been committed, and, along  with such drug or substance, any animal or conveyance or article  liable to confiscation under this  Act,  any document  or other article which he has reason to believe may  furnish evidence  of the commission of an offence punishable under this Act or any document or other article which may furnish evidence of holding any illegally acquired property which is  liable  for seizure or freezing or forfeiture under Chapter VA of this Act;

                        (b)        detain and search any person whom he has reason to believe to have committed an offence punishable under this Act, and if such person has any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance or controlled substance in his possession and  such possession appears to him to be unlawful, arrest him and any other person in his company.

                                    Explanation.-For the purposes of this section, the expression "public place"  includes  any public conveyance, hotel, shop, or  other  place intended for use by, or accessible to, the public.

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Amendment of section 44

 
 

20.        Amendment of section 44.

            In section 44 of the principal Act, after the words "psychotropic substance", the words "or controlled substance" shall be inserted.

 

21.        Amendment of section 49.

            In section 49 of the principal Act, after sub-section (4), the following sub-sections shall be inserted, namely –

            (5)        When an officer duly authorised under section 42 has reason to believe that it is not possible to take the person to be searched to the nearest Gazetted Officer or Magistrate without the possibility of the person to be searched parting with possession of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance, or controlled substance or article or document, he may, instead of taking such person to the nearest Gazetted Officer or  Magistrate,  proceed to search the person as provided under section 100 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).

            (6)        After a search is conducted under sub-section (5), the officer shall record the reasons for such belief which necessitated such search and within seventy-two hours send a copy thereof to his immediate official superior.

 

23.        Insertion of new section 50A.

            After section 50 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely –

            50A.     Power to undertake controlled delivery. The Director General of Narcotics  Control Bureau constituted under sub-section (3) of section 4 or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf, may, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, undertake controlled delivery of any consignment to –

                        (a)        any destination in India;

                        (b)        a foreign country, in consultation with the competent authority of such foreign country to which such consignment is destined, in such manner as may be prescribed. 

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Amendment of section 53