Section 55 of NDPS Act, 1985 : Section 55: Police To Take Charge Of Articles Seized And Delivered

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where a local police team conducts a raid on a suspected drug trafficker's hideout. They seize a large quantity of heroin during the operation. The officer-in-charge of the police station nearest to the raid location is responsible for taking custody of the seized heroin. He must ensure that it is securely stored and not tampered with until a Magistrate can issue further orders. To maintain the integrity of the evidence, the officer allows the accompanying narcotics officer to place official seals on the packages of heroin. Additionally, the narcotics officer takes several samples from the seized batch for testing, and these samples are also sealed appropriately. This process is in accordance with Section 55 of The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, ensuring that the chain of custody is maintained and the evidence is preserved for court proceedings.