Preparing Joint Consent Memo to Search Both Accused Violates Mandatory Requirement Under Section 50 NDPS Act: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court, in a significant ruling on procedural safeguards under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, has held that each accused person must be separately informed of their legal right under Section 50 of the NDPS Act. The Court stressed that issuing a joint memo of consent to both accused violates the mandatory provisions of the statute and undermines the fairness of the search process.…