IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NOS.693-696 OF 2002

STATE OF MAHARASHTRA ... APPELLANT(S)

VERSUS

JAYANTILAL MODI & ORS. ... RESPONDENT(S)

O R D E R

Heard learned counsel for the State. The State is aggrieved by the judgment of the High Court  

in Criminal Appeal Nos.622/1994, 643/1994, 649/1994 and 82/1995 on  

the  file  of  the  High  Court  of  Bombay  wherein  the  accused  were  

acquitted.  The main reason for such acquittal was on the basis of  

the  interpretation  of  Section  42  of  the  N.D.P.S.Act.   When  the  

matters  came  up  before  this  Court,  this  Court  by  order  dated  

13.07.2006,  adjourned  the  matters  awaiting  the  decision  on  this  

issue by the Constitution Bench and the issue was finally decided by  

the  Constitution  Bench  in  Criminal  Appeal  No.36/2003  entitled  

Karnail Singh Vs. State of Haryana, reported in 2009(8) SCC p.539.  

In this view of the fact, we allow the appeals and set aside the  

judgment of the High Court and request the High Court to re-hear the  

appeal.  The  High  Court  may  issue  fresh  notices  to  the  accused  

initially.  The Criminal Appeals are allowed accordingly.

..................CJI (K.G. BALAKRISHNAN)

...................J. (TARUN CHATTERJEE)

...................J. (DEEPAK VERMA)

NEW DELHI; 13TH JANUARY, 2010