Foreword to Anomalies in Law and Justice: A tribute to Justice Raveendran and an introduction to the book “Anomalies in Law & Justice” by Justice R.V. Raveendran, former Judge, Supreme Court of India. [Foreword to Anomalies in Law and Justice by M.N. Venkatachalaiah, (2021) 4 SCC (J-1)]
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 — Ss. 53 and 53-A: Officers empowered under S. 53, are police officers for the purpose of attracting bar under S. 25 of the Evidence Act, 1872 against admissibility of confession to a police officer. Hence, any confessional statement made to officers empowered under S. 53 cannot be taken into account in order to convict an accused, except to the extent found “relevant” under S. 53-A, and, when corroborated in accordance with law. Ss. 53 and 53-A of the NDPS Act, when read together, make it clear that S. 53-A is in the nature of an exception to Ss. 161, 162 and 172 CrPC. However, statements made before the officer empowered under S. 53 of the NDPS Act, even when “relevant” under S. 53-A, cannot, without corroborating evidence, be the basis for the conviction of an accused. [Tofan Singh v. State of T.N., (2021) 4 SCC 1]
