In Brief
The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order suspending the conviction sentence of a courier agency proprietor convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act for trafficking heroin and pseudoephedrine. The Court held that post-conviction bail requires strong and compelling reasons recorded in the judgment, particularly in NDPS cases governed by Section 37 NDPS Act. The High Court had failed to apply its mind to these statutory requirements and merely cited vague references to facts and pandemic-related delays. The Court allowed the appeal and directed the respondent to surrender, while requesting the High Court to prioritise hearing his substantive appeal.
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