MUDE RAVIKANTH v. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA

subsequent to registration of FIR. All these petitioners along with 6 others became subject matter of a crime in Crime No.329 of 2024 for the afore-quoted offences. The Police, upon completion of investigation, file a charge sheet and the concerned Court in terms of its order dated 30-09-2024 took cognizance of the offence and directed registration of a special case against these petitioners along with others. Filing of charge sheet and taking of cognizance is what has driven the petitioners to this Court in the subject petition.

3. Heard Sri Mayur D. Bhanu, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, Sri B.N. Jagadeesha, learned Additional State Public Prosecutor appearing for respondent No.1 and Sri Vivek Anand, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2.

4. Learned Counsel Sri Mayur D. Bhanu appearing for the petitioners would contend that urine samples of the accused were collected at the private hospital known as Santosh Hospital/2nd respondent and not at the Government Hospital in terms of the notification issued by the State Government, as also directions issued by this Court in Criminal Petition No.100822 of 2016. Urine samples forwarded to Santosh Hospital were not sent to Forensic 7 Science Laboratory for the purpose of chemical examination to determine whether they contained traces of prohibited contraband under the Act. In the absence of chemical examination in the Forensic Science Laboratory, the petitioners could not have been held guilty of consumption of drugs. The Police have failed to produce any document to show that urine samples collected of the petitioners and other accused persons were sent to chemical examination by the Forensic Science Laboratory. He would seek to place reliance upon the medical reports of Santosh Hospital of these petitioners.

5. Per contra, the learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor would refute the submissions to contend that these matters could be thrashed out in a full-blown trial. If there is violation of law the petitioners would get acquitted. Testing of urine sample in a private laboratory would not vitiate the proceedings. Santosh Hospital has been the testing lab in several cases and no fault was found with its analysis till now. He would, therefore, submit that petition be dismissed. 8

6. The learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent/ Santosh Hospital has filed his objections. He would take this Court through the objections to contend that excess urine samples are kept frozen and can be transferred to the appropriate laboratory if directed. Urine samples collected are in accordance with the requisition of Police on the date of the incident to find out whether those people whose urine samples are taken have consumed drugs or otherwise. The kits and plates used for testing are stored and preserved and can be used at any time. The hospital was called upon to do medical test by the police and the requisition never mentioned to collect two samples for the purpose of FSL. The hospital has acted in accordance with law. It is the contention that the Police several times have requisitioned the 2nd respondent to conduct urine tests for a nominal price of ¹300/- and for ¹1,750/- for a Drug Abuse Panel test which would otherwise cost ¹6,500/- elsewhere. The 2nd respondent/hospital does this as a form of service by way of social responsibility. He would submit that no fault can be found with the hospital conducting tests in accordance with law. 9

7. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the respective learned counsel and have perused the material on record.

8. The afore-narrated facts are not in dispute. The entire incident happens on 19-05-2024. A complaint comes to be registered on the same incident on 20-05-2024. The complaint reads as follows: <gÀ½(cid:2)(cid:3)Î, ¥ÉÆ(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)Ν(cid:13)(cid:14), Ž(cid:16)Î(cid:17)¾(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:21) (cid:22)(cid:23) (cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:25)¾(cid:26)Î. (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í ¬Ÿ¼. #Ž® %½®() ®Í¼* (cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)Ν(cid:13)(cid:14). +¾¯®-½. (cid:20)Ÿ-½ ®¿ (cid:22)(cid:22)/, (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í ¬Ÿ¼, +¾¬.0Î. 1¿¯- 5.Ž(cid:14) 7¾*8 Ž(cid:16)Î(cid:17)¾(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:21) (cid:22)(cid:23), (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í 7¾¼Ž 9Ì(cid:7)¬(cid:5); +¾¯½¼Í= +¾0¾Ÿ 9¾ŸÎ @ÎݽAÎ +¾B(cid:17)ÎΎ­Í 0ÎÝD (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8 +¾­ÍE=¼Í½ ¬(cid:3)ÎG ®Î¼Í. ***** Œ IݾKŽ­ 1¿¯(cid:17)ÎK ¼Ž¬ŽL(cid:22)®ŽMÎ, A¾¬Í +¾¯®-½. (cid:20)Ÿ-½ ®¿, (cid:22)(cid:22)/ 1O¾Ÿ®(cid:5); Pœ-1 ŽR ¬8½. (cid:20)½8T(cid:22)(cid:17)ÎΎB¼ÍMÎ=ÝAÎ. Œ U¬ UA¾Ž 19-05-2024 ¼Ž®Í 0¾E- 10 ¼Í+¾¼Í 11-30 ŸŽVÎ(cid:3)Î ¬¬W O¾EXY¾¼(cid:2)Ž® ¬Ž® O¾EX AΎ®0Î Ž(cid:16)Î(cid:17)¾(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:21) (cid:22)(cid:23) [¾.P=¯(cid:5);¼Í½ 5.Ž(cid:14).7¾*(cid:10)8 ¬(cid:5); "VASU'S BIRTHDAY" ŽŽ¬ \Ý]8(cid:17)Î B¯(cid:5); Sunset to Sun Rise Victory ŽŽ¬ÍY¾R UA¾Ž 19-05-2024 ¼Ž®Í 05-00 PM Onwards ŽŽ®Í 0ÎÝD (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯ ¼+¾¼Ž­½¬ÍW ®8B(cid:22)(cid:17)ÎΎ­Í 0¾E- [ÎÝaÎb¾® ¬Ž¬¼½c ¼½ +¾¯½¼Í= +¾0¾Ÿ 9¾ŸÎ @ÎݽAÎ +¾B(cid:17)ÎΎ­Í 0ÎÝD (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8 +¾­ÍM¾= @¾½8œ(cid:20)¼ Aή(U(cid:3)Î ®¬Í= e¾Ž¬MÎ(cid:3)Î ­ŽŸ ¬¼ÍE=¼ÍM¾=0Ύ®Í +¾TE ¬ŽU¼Í¬=YÎ. ¼®(cid:2) 0ÎÝD (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯(cid:5); ¼Í+¾¼Í 100 (cid:2)Ž® 150 œ¬ ½Í­ÍŸ ®¬Í= ½Í­ÍR¯¼Í œ+¾½(cid:26)Î(cid:3)ÎΎ­Í (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯(cid:5); 0¾f¾0ÎÎÝ¿[¾R ŽŽ.B.ŽŽ.Ž Pg(cid:10). (cid:17)ÎÎ(cid:17)ÎÝ(cid:9), 9ÎÞqÉÆæÃ(cid:3)¾Žf¾ 9¾ŸÎ ¬0Î +¾¯ ½¼Í=Ÿ¿¬ÍW @ÎݽAÎ 9¾ŸÎ +¾0¾Ÿ +¾­ÍE=¼Í½cY¾R O¾EX¯¬ÍW (cid:22)iݝ(cid:2)(cid:22)®Íj ¼®(cid:2) O¾EX¯¬ÍW T(cid:2)¯ L(cid:17)¾(cid:2)Ÿa¾® +¾¬. B(cid:22)P ®¬Í= Ž(cid:22)P @¾9Îݬ(cid:2)(cid:3)Î ®Î¼[¾k ®Î¾ El(cid:22)¼ÍMÎ=ÝAÎ. +¾¬. T(cid:2)¯ L(cid:17)¾(cid:2)Ÿ¿m ¬(cid:21)¿¯ ¼®¯ 1¿Ž­ +¾­YÎÝ Ž(cid:16)Î(cid:17)¾(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:21) (cid:22)(cid:23) (cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:25)¾(cid:26)ί(cid:5); ®Î¼¬ÍW Y¾ž(cid:5)(cid:22)(cid:17)ÎΎ­Í ®ÍŽU¬ -® (cid:17)ÎÞ(cid:3)Îοp¾Í ¼Îq(cid:22)® IÝ0Î(cid:3)Î ®¿® ¬0Î L(cid:17)¾(cid:2) ®¬Í= (cid:22)¬rŽUŸ¿¬ÍW Ž(cid:16)Î(cid:17)¾(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:21) (cid:22)(cid:23) (cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:25)¾(cid:26)ί ¬l ¬¼¾Í ¼Îq(cid:22)¼ÍMÎ=ÝAÎ. Ž®j(cid:2)Ž® 5.Ž(cid:14).7¾*(cid:10)8 ¬(cid:5); "VASU'S BIRTHDAY” ŽŽ¬ \Ý]8(cid:17)Î B¯(cid:5); ŽŽ®Í UA¾Ž 19-05-2024 ¼Ž®Í 05-00 PM Onwards ŽŽ®Í ¼+¾¼Ž­½¬ÍW ®8B(cid:22)(cid:17)ÎΎ­Í 0¾E- [ÎÝaÎb¾® ¬Ž¬¼½c ¼½ +¾¯½¼Í= +¾0¾Ÿ 9¾ŸÎ @ÎݽAÎ +¾B(cid:17)ÎΎ­Í 0ÎÝD (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8 +¾­ÍM¾= @¾½8œ(cid:20)¼ Aή(U(cid:3)Î ®¬Í= e¾Ž¬MÎ(cid:3)Î ­ŽŸ ŽŸÍ+¾B¼Í½ 0ÎÝD (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯ Žtݜ¼ 1¼Í®j 9¾ŸÎ ¼®(cid:2) 0ÎÝD (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯¬ÍW ¬uμ¾Í ½(cid:17)¾¾ +¾B(cid:17)ÎÎ(cid:23)(cid:13)¼Í½ 5.Ž(cid:14). 7¾*(cid:10)8 +¾(cid:5)ݝ¼ 1¼Í®w ®¬Í= +¾¯½¼Í= @ÎݽAÎ ®¬Í= +¾0¾Ÿ +¾­ÍE=¼Í½ ½.x=Ÿ¿ 1¼Í®w (cid:17)¾¬Î¬Í -® (cid:17)ÎÞ(cid:3)Îοp¾Í Œ ®Î¾ (cid:17)ÎÎÝ(cid:2)(cid:17)ÎΎB¼Í¬=YÎ ®¬Í= Œ ®Î(cid:2)AÎΎU(cid:3)Î (cid:17)¾¯8-®® yE=®¬-® ®-E¯¬ÍW ¾ŸE=(cid:22)¼Í¬=YÎ. ½Ž®AΟaÎ(cid:31)ŽU(cid:3)Î ¬®( 1e¾i(cid:22). ¸À»/- 20/5/24 [%½®() ®Í¼*] (cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)Ν(cid:13)(cid:14). +¾¯®-½. (cid:20)Ÿ-½ ®¿, (cid:22)(cid:22)/, (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í ¬Ÿ¼.” 11 The complaint is registered at 1.45 a.m. by the CCB before the Electronic City Police Station. The complaint becomes a crime in Crime No.242 of 2024 for the alleging offences under Sections 290, 294 of the IPC and 8(c), 22(a)(b)(c), 25, 27, 27(b) of the NDPS Act. A raid at the said rave party took place and consequence of raid is, these petitioners along with others who are said to be consumers of drugs are taken to the 2nd respondent hospital. A requisition was made to test urine samples of these and other persons. All these petitioners were also directed to be tested. The requisition reads as follows: ½(cid:2)(cid:3)Î, [ÎÞY¾.L(cid:17)¾(cid:2)Ÿ¿m, ¼ŽMÎÎÝz Ž¼{MÎ-, ®c(cid:5)(cid:17)ÎÝ\ ¬Ÿ¼ (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í ¬Ÿ¼. +¾¬.0ÎÝ, 1¿¯:- 0Î|Ý (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯(cid:5); (cid:22)xK/®j Ž@¾}Ÿ¿m (cid:20)~ÎÝU¬ +¾®½¼Í= @ÎݽAÎ +¾BY¾j0Î(cid:127)Ý ŽŽ¬Í®¼ ¬(cid:3)ÎG ®(cid:2)Ý(cid:128)Î +¾B ½¼U (cid:20)Ý­¾Í (cid:17)ÎÎÝ(cid:2) ®¬1. (cid:16)Î;ݞ:-Ž(cid:16)Î(cid:17)¾(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:21)(cid:22)(cid:23) (cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:25)¾(cid:26)¾ %.¼Ž.242/2024 ¾Ž 290, 294 œ.P.(cid:22) ªÀÄvÀÄÛ PÀ®A 8(¹) 22(©), 22(¹), 22(J), 27(©), 25, 27 J£ïr¦J¸ï Ž(cid:21)(cid:13) ***** Œ IÝ(cid:5)¬ 1¿¯(cid:17)ÎK ¼Ž¬ŽL(cid:22)®ŽMÎ ¬®((cid:5); ®¬1 +¾B(cid:17)Îοmp½cYÎÝAΎ®0Î, (cid:144)b¾8®ÍY¾¼0¾® \-Ý %½®() ®Í(cid:17)¾¼*-(cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)Ν(cid:13)(cid:14), +¾¯®-½. (cid:20)Ÿ-½ ®¿, 12 (cid:22)(cid:22)/, (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í ¬Ÿ¼ ¼½¼Í UA¾Ž 20.05.2024 ¼Ž®Í (cid:20)ÝB® ®Î(cid:2)¬ IÝ0Î(cid:3)Î ¬®( . (cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:25)¾(cid:26)¾ %.¼Ž.242/2024 PÀ®A 290, 294 œ.P.(cid:22) ªÀÄvÀÄÛ PÀ®A 8(¹) 22(©), 22(¹), 22(J), 27(©), 25, 27 J£ïr¦J¸ï Ž(cid:21)(cid:13) (cid:2)ÝM¾. ®-¼¯ Y¾ž(cid:16)¾R¼Í¬=YÎ. Œ ®-¼¯®(cid:5); Ï¬. ¬uή ¼(cid:146)¿[¾® (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í (cid:3)¾-+¾Ž¬¼, AÎݝg M¾¾Î;Í. E=(cid:27)Î(cid:16)Î 9ÎÎݬl, ¼f¾8®c¼-2, 9άr(cid:3)ÎÎÝB, Œ¾¾R (cid:22)Ž(cid:3)Îݬ Ÿ-9¾¼, ¼[Î8 ¬Ž-165, 5.Ž(cid:14) 7¾*(cid:10)8 IÝ(cid:16)Î Y¾l +¾B®Íj, ¼®(cid:2) 7¾*8 9Ì(cid:7)¬(cid:5); Œ (cid:17)­ 5 œ¬ Ž0ÎÎÝPŸ¿m

1. Žg. [¾¼Í /(cid:9) Žg. (cid:11)¾®0¾D 35 ½¿8, [¾¼. (cid:147)Î(cid:23)(cid:13)¬Ÿ¼ ¬Ž(cid:3)¾¼¯. (cid:17)ÎΟÍ(cid:13)¼Ž®Í 4-3/1-199 «dAiÀĪÁqÀ ŽŽ¯-®-YÎݾ

2. [ÎÞ.ŽŽ.¼Í(cid:148) Í+¾(cid:14) /(cid:9) %ݽ£ï£Á¯Í(cid:149), 31 ½¿8, 1a¾¼: 7¾;(cid:150)(cid:151) ¬Ž.102. (cid:11)¾(cid:151)8IŽ(cid:151) ¬Ž.351, \-Ý @¾0¾ (cid:11)¾(cid:151)8IŽ(cid:151), 5AÎÝ (cid:17)¾-(cid:7), (cid:17)ÎÎݼ®ŽŸ¾ 1AÎÝ (cid:27)¾;(cid:21), (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í.

3. A¾Ÿ(cid:27)¾¬Í.B /(cid:9) ®®9Îݾi(cid:14) 0¾D 32 ½¿8 [¾¼ ¬Ž.10/14/45. ¾[¾(cid:2) (cid:22)(cid:152)Ý ž(cid:9) VÌ(cid:9) 1œ¯[¾­ 5(cid:16)Î;, ŽŽ¯-®-YÎݾ 0¾œ..

4. ¼¯LÝ(cid:14)(cid:27)¾¬Í /(cid:9) 1.œ¯žŽ®- (cid:27)¾¬Í 43 ½¿8 [¾¼ ¬Ž.18-310 ®-(cid:17)¾¾Ž œ0ÎÎÝ(cid:155) q¬Î=¼Í ŽŽ¯-®-YÎݾ 0¾œ..

5. %½®) ¬Í¬(cid:14) (cid:22)Uj(cid:21) /(cid:9) [¾(cid:22)Ý(cid:21) ½®) 29 ½¿8 [¾¼ ¬Ž.37. (cid:17)Î ¬Ž.4AÎÝ /ÝU ®(cid:17)¾(cid:9) 0ÎÎÝ(cid:155) O¾¼E¬Ÿ¼ (cid:27)ΎŸ¿(cid:31)¼Í. IݾKŽ­½¼ (cid:11)ÎÞx Ž-1 ½ÍŸÍ(cid:13)½¬r® ®-¯Í= Ž-2 ¼½¼Í 0Î|Ý (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯¬ÍW ½}((cid:17)ÎΎB®Íj, Ž-3 (cid:2)Ž® Ž-5 Ž0ÎÎÝPŸ¿m +¾® (cid:20)~Îݯ ½¼Í=Ÿa¾® (cid:20)~ÎÝ® +¾® ½¼Í=Ÿa¾® ŽŽ.B.ŽŽ.Ž x-¼(cid:13)g, ŽŽ.B.ŽŽ.Ž Ž(cid:21)(cid:10)VÎÝ(cid:22) Pg(cid:10), (cid:17)ÎÎ(cid:17)ÎÝ(cid:9), 9ÎÞqÉÆæà (cid:3)¾Žf¾½¬ÍW MÎ(cid:3)ήÍ(cid:17)ÎΎ­Í ¬Ž®Í @ÎݽAÎ +¾B¼Í½c®Í ®¬Í= Œ (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯(cid:5); O¾Rb¾R®j 68 œ¬ ®c¼Í¿¼Í 9¾ŸÎ 30 œ¬ ®Taί¼Í ¼½ ®(cid:5)¬(cid:5);®Íj, IݾKŽ­ +¾® ½¼Í= @ÎݽAÎ +¾B¼Í½ @¾¯.MÎ ¼Í¬=YÎ. Ž®j(cid:2)Ž® Ž0ÎÎÝP¬¼ 9¾ŸÎ 0Î|Ý (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯(cid:5); (cid:22)xK/Uj¼Í½½¼¬ÍW [ÎÞ®.xݯ ®(cid:2)Ý(cid:128)Î(cid:3)Î ž¿®B(cid:22) ¯(cid:5)M¾Ž¾® ½¼U¯¬ÍW (cid:20)Ý­¾Í (cid:17)ÎÎÝ(cid:2)YÎ.” 13 The Police after investigation file a charge sheet. The allegation in the charge sheet, as against accused Nos.7, 8, 13 to 88, is common. The summary of the charge sheet, as obtaining in column No.17, insofar as accused Nos.7, 8, 13 to 88 are concerned, read as follows: <®-¼¯® Ž-7, Ž-8 ®¬Í= Ž-13 (cid:2)Ž® Ž-88¼ ½0ÎR¬ Ž0ÎÎÝP¬¼ÍŸ¿m, 9άÍr(cid:3)ÎÎÝB (cid:24)(cid:5)Ý(cid:7) (cid:25)¾(cid:26)¾ ¼¼½Uj¬ 5.Ž(cid:14).7¾*8 9Ì(cid:7)¬(cid:5); VICTORY "VASU'S BIRTHDAY, Sunset to Sun Rise Date 19-05-2024, 5:00 PM Onwards " JA§ ²Ã¶ðPÉ CrAiÀÄ°è gÉÃªï §vïðqÉà (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯¬ÍW Ž-1 ®¬Í= Ž-2 Ž0ÎÎÝP¬¼ÍŸ¿m ŽtݜAÎ +¾B®Íj, Ž-7, Ž-8 ®¬Í= Ž-13 (cid:2)Ž® Ž-88 ½0ÎR¬ Ž0ÎÎÝP¬¼ÍŸl(cid:3)Î Ž-1 ®¬Í= Ž-2 Ž0ÎÎÝP¬¼ÍŸ¿m Ž9¾i(cid:20)(cid:22)® IÝ0Î(cid:3)Î 0ÎÝD ¬(cid:158)8 uÎÝ (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8(cid:3)Î ¬ŽU®Íj, (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯(cid:5); +¾®½¼Í=Ÿ¿m (cid:22)ŸÍ¬=YΎ®Í %®(cid:16)Î ElU®Íj, Ž-1 ®¬Í= Ž-2 Ž0ÎÎÝP¬¼ÍŸ¿m (cid:11)¾(cid:23)8¯(cid:5); MÎÎÝ(cid:2)(cid:22)® Ž-3, Ž-4, Ž-5 ®¬Í= Ž-10 Ž0ÎÎÝP¬¼ÍŸlŽ® ¬®(cid:3)Î (cid:27)ÎÝ(cid:17)¾® (cid:20)~ÎÝU¬ +¾®½¼Í=Ÿ¿¬ÍW ®uήÍ(cid:17)ÎΎ­Í @ÎݽAÎ +¾B¼Í½c®Í, Ž0ÎÎÝPŸ¿ & @¾(cid:159)Ÿ¿ 1(cid:147)¾¼(cid:26)Î#Ž® ®¬Í= ¼ŽMÎÎÝz Ž¼{MÎ-¯ ½¼UŸ¿m 9¾ŸÎ ¬(cid:20)(cid:160)Î#Ž® ¯Ï®®(cid:23)(cid:13)¼Í¬=YÎ. Ž®j(cid:2)Ž® Ž-7, Ž-8 ®¬Í= Ž-13 (cid:2)Ž® Ž-88¼ ½0ÎR¬ Ž0ÎÎÝP¬¼ÍŸ¿m ¾Ž 27(Ž & ©) NDPS Act-1985 (cid:2)ÝM¾. ®0¾¯ Ž¼R¼Í½c®Í ¬(cid:20)(cid:160)Î#Ž® ®Ï®®(cid:23)(cid:13)¼Í¬=YÎ.” It is consumption and therefore, they are charged under Section 27(a) and (b) of the Act. Likewise, the other accused are also charged of consumption and accused No.5 admits the fact that he has supplied drugs and other accused have consumed those drugs. Therefore, the allegation against these petitioners is not in dispute that it is under Section 27(a) and (b) of the Act. As quoted 14 hereinabove, the requisition was to send the accused to Santosh Hospital/2nd respondent. The urine samples are said to have divulged presence of drugs. Whether that could be taken note of for the offences punishable under Section 27(a) and (b) of the Act in the teeth of Santosh Hospital being a private hospital is what is required to be considered in the case at hand.

9. The urine test samples of these petitioners are appended to a memo placed before this Court. This is a part of the charge sheet. In terms of the memo, the medical examination report by Santosh Hospital reads as follows: Page No.14 is retyped and replaced vide Court order dated 28.11.2025. 15 16 17 18 19 I deem it appropriate to notice the tests conducted, petitioner by petitioner. Accused No.8/7th petitioner gives her urine sample for test and in terms of the test report she is found positive for five drugs viz., (i) Amphetamine, (ii) Cocaine, (iii) Methamphetamine, (iv) Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and (v) Tetra Hydro Canabinoids. It is in public knowledge or in medical parlance twined with narcotic parlance that if these five drugs are consumed by one person at a time, the person can no longer be alive. With regard 20 Accused No.16/8th petitioner, the urine sample is again shown to be for the same five drugs. Insofar as accused No.23/1st petitioner again for the same five drugs. Accused No.46/9th petitioner again for the same five drugs. Accused No.69/2nd petitioner has tested positive for only one drug viz., Cocaine. Accused No.71/10th petitioner is found to have tested positive for two drugs viz., cocaine and tetra hydro canabinoids. Accused No.76/6th petitioner is found to have tested positive for three drugs viz., Amphetamine, Methamphetamine and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and the same goes with Accused No.77/3rd petitioner, Accused No.78/4th petitioner and insofar as accused No.85/5th petitioner is concerned, he is tested positive for three drugs viz., Methamphetamine, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and tetra hydro canabinoids. This covers the petitioners.

10. Whether tests done in a private laboratory should be given credence is what is required to noticed. The Government of India has notified standing orders in Standing Order No.1 of 1988 which deals with chemical analysis of seized drugs and would 21 indicate certain procedure. Clause 1.3 of the said Standing Order reads as follows: <1.3 An illicit narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances recovered from a person, place, conveyance, etc. are material evidence as they are liable to confiscation. Further, they constitute primary evidence for any act, omission or commission on the part of a person rendering him liable for punishment under Chapter IV of the NDPS Act, 1985. Most of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances cannot be conclusively proved to be such drugs or substances merely by visual examination in the trial court and they require to be proved by chemical analysis to be conducted by chemists authorized under Section 293 of Cr.P.C.1973. The provisions of sub-Section 4 of Section 293 of Cr.P.C. are reproduced hereunder for ready reference:- Section 294(4) of Cr.P.C., 1973. This Section applies following Government scientific experts, namely:- (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Any Chemical Examiner or Assistant Chemical Examiner to Government; The Chief Inspector of Explosives; The Director of Finger-print Bureau; The Director Hoffikin Institute of Bombay; The Director (Deputy Director or Assistant Director) of a Central Forensic Science Laboratory or a State Forensic Science Laboratory. The Serologist to the Government.= And Clause 1.11 reads as follows: <1.11 Laboratories to which samples may be sent. The Seizing Officers of the Central Government Department, viz., Customs, Central Excise, Central Bureau of Narcotic, Narcotics Control Bureau, D.R.I., etc. should dispatch samples of the seized drugs to one of the 22 laboratories of the Central Revenues Control Laboratory nearest to their offices depending upon the availability of test facilities. The addresses of the Dy. Chief Chemists of the Central Revenues Control Laboratories are given below:

9. General Manager, Govt. Opium and Alkaloid Works, GHAZIPUR (U.P.); General Manager, Govt. Open and Alkaloid Works, Neemuch (M.P); Chief Chemist, Central Revenue Control Laboratory, Pusan Road (IARI), New Delhl. Dy.Chief Chemist, Office of the Collector of Customs House, Chennai 600 001. Dy.Chief Chemist, Chemical Laboratory, Customs House, Calcutta-1; Dy.Chief Chemist, New Customs House Ballard Estate, Mumbai-400 038. Dy.Chief Chemist, Central Excise Laboratory, Estrellia Batteries Compound, Dharavi Road, Mumbai-400 019. Chemical Examiner, Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Customs House, Cochin-9; Chemical Examiner, Central Excise Laboratory, Yashkamal, Building , 8th Floor, Baroda-5 (Gujarat),

10. Chemical Examiner, Central Excise Laboratory, Central Excise Laboratory, CORIL Refinery, Vishakhapatnam (AP);

11. Chemical Examiner, Customs House, Kandla, Gujarat 12. Chemical Examiner, Customs House Laboratory, Sada, MARMUGOA GOA-403 803

13. Chemical Examiner, Customs House Laboratory, Assam Oil Refinery, Dibboi (Assam);

14. Chemical Examiner, Central Excise Laboratory, Assam Oil Refinery, Distt. Begusarai (Bihar);

15. Chemical Examiner, HPCL, Refinery corridor Road, Trombay, Mumbai-400 074. The other Central Agencies, like BSF, CBI and other Central Police organizations may send such samples to the Director, Central Forensic Laboratory, New Delhi. All State Enforcement Agencies may send samples of seized drugs and psychotropic substances to the 23 Director/Deputy Director/Assistant Director of their respective State Forensic Science Laboratory. The addresses of the State Forensic Science Laboratories are given below:

7. 8.

9. State Police Forensic Laboratory, Forensic Science Director, Forensic Science Laboratories, Govt. of Bihar, Patna-800 023. Director, Rajasthan, Nehru Nagar, Jaipur-6; Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, mini Punjab Secretarial Plot No.2, Sector 9-A Chandigarh. Director, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneshwar-10 (Orissa); Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Haryana Madhubn (Karnl); Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Andhra Pradesh Red Hills, Hyderabad; Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Trivandrum-10; Director, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Govt. of West Bengal, Balgachi Road. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Gujarat State, New Mental Corner, Ahmedabad 3 380 016; Laboratory, Science

10. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Maharashtra (East), State, Vidhyanagari, Kalina, Santacruz Mumbai-400 098;

11. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Civil Lines, Sagar (M.P) 470 001;

12. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Mahanagar, Lucknow (U.P.);

13. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Sector-18 Chandigarh

14. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Bureau of Police Research and Development (MHA), Govt. of India, O.V. Campus, Ramnathpur, Hyderabad-500 013; 15. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, C.B.I Block-4, C.G.O Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

16. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Junagarh (Gujarat);

17. Chemical Examiner to the U.P. Govt., Agra (U.P.) 18. Govt. Examiner of questioned documents, Railway Board Building, Shimla (H.P) 24

19. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Opposite C.D. Hospital, Srinagar (J.K.). < (Emphasis supplied) Clause 1.3 mandates that the Director of a Central Forensic Science Laboratory should be in-charge of these tests and clause 1.11 mandates laboratories to which the samples may be sent. There are about 15 laboratories. These are concerning chemical analysis of drugs. The Ministry of Finance in the Department of Revenue, Government of India has notified Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Seizure, Storage, Sampling and Disposal) Rules, 2022 (for short 8the Rules9). Rule 12 deals with storage of samples. It reads as follows: <12. Storage of samples.4(1) Each sample shall be kept in heat-sealed plastic bags or heat-resistant glass bottle or apparatus, which shall be kept in a paper envelope, sealed properly and marked as original or duplicate, as the case may be. (2) The paper envelope shall also bear the respective serial number of the package or container from which the sample had been drawn. (3) The envelope containing the duplicate sample shall also have reference of the test memo and shall be kept in another envelope, sealed and marked 8Secret- drug sample/Test memo9, to be sent to the designated laboratory for chemical analysis.= (Emphasis supplied) 25 Rule 12 mandates that the duplicate sample should be seized and marked as 8secret-drug sample9 and has to be sent to a designated laboratory for chemical analysis.

11. The learned counsel for the petitioners has contended that if urine samples are to be tested for the presence of drugs, there must be a confirmatory test of those tested urine sample by either of the two methods 3 Gas Chromatography or Mass Spectrometry. In the case at hand what is being sent is testing of urine samples. The test report is quoted hereinabove. It is admittedly not tested by either of the methods as noted hereinabove. A coordinate Bench of this Court in SRI PRANAY NATARAJ V. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA1, considers this aspect and holds that urine samples must be confirmed by the afore- quoted two tests. The coordinate Bench, in the said decision, holds as follows: <&. &. &.

2. According to the prosecution's case, based on credible information, a raid was conducted with a search warrant from 1 W.P.No. 7178 of 2024 disposed of on 29-05-2024 26 the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Mangaluru. During the raid, a plastic cover containing contraband ganja was discovered under a table. Upon questioning the apartment's inhabitants, the petitioner revealed his identity and allegedly confessed to procuring ganja from Vishaka Pattana tribes. He admitted to packaging and selling quantities of 50 and 100 grams to college students and the public for financial gain.

3. The prosecution further relies on the confession statement of accused No.1, who purportedly confessed to supplying ganja to other accused persons for consumption. Subsequently, these co-accused allegedly stated that the petitioner, accused No.16, also consumed ganja with them.

4. The Sub-Inspector of Police, CCB, Mangaluru, searched the petitioner-accused No.16's residence apartment, arrested him, and then took him to A J Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Mangaluru, for examination.

5. Furthermore, the prosecution contends that upon examination, it was found that the petitioner-accused No.16 had consumed ganja, thereby making him liable for offences under Section 27(B)(2) of the NDPS Act.

6. Mr. P.P. Hegde, learned senior counsel for the petitioner-accused No.16, argues that the urine sample taken from him was obtained in violation of Section 16 of the NDPS Act, 1984, as none of the prescribed procedures were followed. He further contends that the Inspector of Police failed to record in writing the information received from the co-accused, which is mandatory under Section 42(1) of the NDPS Act. Therefore, any breach of mandatory provisions under Section 42(1) of the NDPS Act would vitiate the trial. O R D E R (i) Writ Petition is allowed. (ii) Charge sheet filed by the Police in Spl.Case No.741 of 2024 pending before the VIII Additional District 61 and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru stands quashed qua the petitioners. (iii) The State shall, as expeditiously as possible, notify any Government laboratory, to be the laboratory for the purpose of testing urine samples, particularly for alleged offences under the NDPS Act or notify any private laboratory for the said purpose. (iv) The State shall report compliance to this Court of such notification. (v) It is made clear that the findings rendered in this order would not become applicable to any other accused. This Court places its appreciation to the able assistance rendered by Miss. Sai Suvedhya R., Law Clerk cum Research Assistant attached to this Court. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE Bkp CT:MJ