NDPS sentencing discretion India

In Narayan Das vs State of Chhattisgarh, the Supreme Court dismissed the SLP challenging the conviction under Section 21(c) of the NDPS Act. The petitioner was found in possession of 236 bottles of cough syrup containing Codeine Phosphate, a psychotropic substance. Although the High Court reduced the sentence from 12 to 10 years, the petitioner challenged the conviction and seizure procedure. The Supreme Court found no procedural illegality or legal error and emphasized the correct interpretation of Section 32-B, clarifying that the sentencing court can impose punishment higher than the minimum based on broader discretion, not just the factors listed under clauses (a) to (f).