{"id":31605,"date":"2026-09-05T07:06:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T07:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=31605"},"modified":"2026-09-05T07:30:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T07:30:08","slug":"article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Article 21 vs. Section 37 of the NDPS Act: When Constitutional Liberty Prevails Over Strict Bail Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"h-introduction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), was enacted to combat drug trafficking and abuse through stringent provisions. Section 37, in particular, makes the grant of bail exceptionally difficult in cases involving commercial quantities of narcotics. At the same time, Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the fundamental right to life and personal liberty, which the Supreme Court has consistently interpreted to include the right to a fair and speedy trial.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Section_37_of_the_NDPS_Act\" >Section 37 of the NDPS Act<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Article_21_of_the_Constitution\" >Article 21 of the Constitution<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#The_Constitutional_Tension\" >The Constitutional Tension<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Commercial_Quantity_NDPS_Case_Legal_Position_on_Bail\" >Commercial Quantity NDPS Case: Legal Position on Bail<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Key_Judicial_Positions\" >Key Judicial Positions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Union_of_India_v_KA_Najeeb\" >Union of India v. K.A. Najeeb<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Muslims_Hussain_and_Rabi_Prakash\" >Muslims @ Hussain and Rabi Prakash<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Nitish_Adhikary_and_Naeem_Ahmed\" >Nitish Adhikary and Naeem Ahmed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Anjali_Mondal_v_State_of_West_Bengal\" >Anjali Mondal v. State of West Bengal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Narcotics_Control_Bureau_v_Kashif\" >Narcotics Control Bureau v. Kashif<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#State_of_Punjab_v_Sukhwinder_Singh_and_State_of_Punjab_v_Balraj_Singh\" >State of Punjab v. Sukhwinder Singh and State of Punjab v. Balraj Singh<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Calcutta_High_Court_on_Prolonged_Incarceration\" >Calcutta High Court on Prolonged Incarceration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Prolonged_Incarceration_Is_a_Fact-Specific_Inquiry\" >Prolonged Incarceration Is a Fact-Specific Inquiry<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/article-21-vs-section-37-of-the-ndps-act-when-constitutional-liberty-prevails-over-strict-bail-conditions\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This raises a recurring constitutional question: Can the right to liberty and speedy trial under Article 21 justify the grant of bail even when the twin conditions of Section 37 are not fully satisfied?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-section-37-of-the-ndps-act\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Section_37_of_the_NDPS_Act\"><\/span>Section 37 of the NDPS Act<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Section 37 classifies offenses involving commercial quantities as cognizable and non-bailable. It imposes two cumulative \u201ctwin conditions\u201d that must be satisfied before bail can be granted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Public Prosecutor must be given an opportunity to oppose the application; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where opposed, the Court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty of the offense and is not likely to commit any offense while on bail.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, forming a positive opinion of innocence at the pre-trial stage is extremely difficult. As a result, pre-trial custody has become the norm and bail the rare exception in commercial-quantity cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-article-21-of-the-constitution\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Article_21_of_the_Constitution\"><\/span>Article 21 of the Constitution<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 21 provides that \u201cNo person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.\u201d Judicial interpretation has expanded its content to include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personal liberty as a core fundamental right;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The right to a speedy trial as an integral component of fair procedure; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The principle that pre-trial detention is intended only to secure the presence of the accused and not to serve as punishment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When trials remain stalled for years, continued incarceration without conviction acquires a punitive character and violates Article 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-constitutional-tension\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Constitutional_Tension\"><\/span>The Constitutional Tension<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Statutory restrictions such as Section 37 bind ordinary criminal courts. They do not, however, oust the jurisdiction of constitutional courts to protect fundamental rights. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the rigours of special-statute bail bars (including Section 37 NDPS and Section 43-D (5) UAPA) \u201cmelt away\u201d when the period of incarceration becomes unreasonably long and there is no realistic prospect of the trial concluding within a reasonable time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The practical approach that has emerged may be summarized as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-commercial-quantity-ndps-case-legal-position-on-bail\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Commercial_Quantity_NDPS_Case_Legal_Position_on_Bail\"><\/span>Commercial Quantity NDPS Case: Legal Position on Bail<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Commercial Quantity NDPS Case<\/th><th>Legal Position on Bail<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Section 37 does not apply.<\/td><td>Bail may be considered on ordinary legal principles.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Section 37 applies, but the trial is unduly delayed and incarceration is prolonged.<\/td><td>Article 21 and the right to speedy trial may justify bail, depending on the facts of the case.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Section 37 applies, and there is no undue delay or prolonged incarceration.<\/td><td>Bail is ordinarily refused, subject to the stringent conditions under Section 37.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-key-judicial-positions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Judicial_Positions\"><\/span>Key Judicial Positions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The jurisprudence reflects a careful balance rather than an absolute hierarchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-union-of-india-v-k-a-najeeb\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Union_of_India_v_KA_Najeeb\"><\/span>Union of India v. K.A. Najeeb<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Union of India v. K.A. Najeeb [(2021) 3 SCC 713], a three-judge bench held that statutory restrictions on bail do not oust the jurisdiction of constitutional courts under Article 21. The Court observed that the rigors of provisions such as Section 37 NDPS or Section 43-D (5) UAPA \u201cmelt away\u201d when trial completion within a reasonable period is unlikely and the period of incarceration has become unreasonably long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-muslims-hussain-and-rabi-prakash\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Muslims_Hussain_and_Rabi_Prakash\"><\/span>Muslims @ Hussain and Rabi Prakash<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Muslim @ Hussain v. State (NCT of Delhi) [(2023) 18 SCC 166] and Rabi Prakash v. State of Odisha [2023 SCC OnLine SC 1109], the Supreme Court affirmed that prolonged detention and inordinate trial delays can justify bail under Article 21, holding that the constitutional right to a speedy trial must be given due weight when pre-trial custody begins to resemble punitive detention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-nitish-adhikary-and-naeem-ahmed\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nitish_Adhikary_and_Naeem_Ahmed\"><\/span>Nitish Adhikary and Naeem Ahmed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Subsequent decisions such as Nitish Adhikary @ Bapan v. State of West Bengal [2022 SCC OnLine SC 2068] and Naeem Ahmed @ Naim Ahmad v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi [2024 SCC OnLine SC 220] granted bail primarily on the ground of lengthy custody (approximately 1 year 7 months to nearly 2 years) coupled with negligible trial progress and absence of criminal antecedents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-anjali-mondal-v-state-of-west-bengal\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Anjali_Mondal_v_State_of_West_Bengal\"><\/span>Anjali Mondal v. State of West Bengal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High courts have followed the same line in appropriate cases. In Anjali Mondal v. State of West Bengal [CRM (NDPS) No. 1606 of 2024], the Calcutta High Court granted bail after noting custody of over one year and three months, non-commencement of evidence despite sixteen charge-sheeted witnesses, and no immediate prospect of conclusion of trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-narcotics-control-bureau-v-kashif\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Narcotics_Control_Bureau_v_Kashif\"><\/span>Narcotics Control Bureau v. Kashif<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, the Supreme Court has simultaneously emphasized that Section 37 remains mandatory. In Narcotics Control Bureau v. Kashif [(2024) 11 SCC 372], the Court reiterated that refusal of bail is the rule and the grant of the exception in commercial-quantity cases, and that courts must record the specific cumulative satisfaction required by the twin conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-state-of-punjab-v-sukhwinder-singh-and-state-of-punjab-v-balraj-singh\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"State_of_Punjab_v_Sukhwinder_Singh_and_State_of_Punjab_v_Balraj_Singh\"><\/span>State of Punjab v. Sukhwinder Singh and State of Punjab v. Balraj Singh<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More recently, in State of Punjab v. Sukhwinder Singh @ Gora [2026 SCC OnLine SC 671] and State of Punjab v. Balraj Singh @ Billa [2026 SCC OnLine SC 1058], the Supreme Court set aside High Court bail orders, holding that the twin conditions cannot be diluted or ignored solely on the ground of trial delay or a custody period of around one year and seven months when the offense carries a maximum sentence of twenty years. The Court underscored that Article 21 and Section 37 must be read harmoniously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-calcutta-high-court-on-prolonged-incarceration\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Calcutta_High_Court_on_Prolonged_Incarceration\"><\/span>Calcutta High Court on Prolonged Incarceration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consistent with this approach, the Calcutta High Court (Circuit Bench at Jalpaiguri) in CRM (NDPS) 388 of 2026 and connected matters declined bail where custody ranged from 1 year 4 months to 2 years 1 month, observing that such periods did not constitute \u201cprolonged incarceration\u201d relative to the statutory sentencing range of 10\u201320 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-prolonged-incarceration-is-a-fact-specific-inquiry\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prolonged_Incarceration_Is_a_Fact-Specific_Inquiry\"><\/span>Prolonged Incarceration Is a Fact-Specific Inquiry<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These decisions collectively demonstrate that while Article 21 remains the ultimate constitutional safeguard, the length of custody, the stage of the trial, the reasons for delay, the role of the accused, and criminal antecedents are all relevant. \u201cProlonged incarceration\u201d is a fact-specific inquiry; there is no fixed numerical threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Section 37 of the NDPS Act applies with full force at the outset of commercial-quantity prosecutions and continues to govern ordinary applications for bail. It is a deliberate legislative choice aimed at deterring serious drug offenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, Article 21 operates as a constitutional check against indefinite pre-trial detention. When trials stagnate for years and under-trial prisoners languish without a realistic prospect of early conclusion, continued custody ceases to be a legitimate incident of the criminal process and becomes punitive. In such circumstances, constitutional courts retain the power to grant bail in the interest of personal liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The settled position, therefore, is one of harmonious construction: statutory restrictions under Section 37 must be respected, but they cannot be permitted to eclipse the fundamental right to life and personal liberty when pre-trial detention itself becomes constitutionally impermissible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-related-links yoast-seo-related-links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/bail-under-ndps-act-1985\/\">Bail under NDPS Act, 1985<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/ndps-act-1985-drug-laws-bail-punishment-india\/\">NDPS Act 1985 Explained: Drug Laws, Bail Rules, Punishments &amp; Legal Safeguards in India<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/supreme-court-denies-bail-ndps-accused-criminal-history-age-illness-trial-delay\/\">Supreme Court Denies Bail to 60-Year-Old NDPS Accused: Why Criminal History Outweighed Age, Illness, and Trial Delay<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/procedural-errors-in-ndps-cases-when-minor-lapses-dont-vitiate-conviction\/\">Procedural Errors in NDPS Cases: When Minor Lapses Don&#8217;t Vitiate Conviction<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-50-ndps-act-violation-illegal-search-police-officer\/\">NDPS Act Section 50 Violation: Illegal Search Before Police Officer Vitiates Trial &amp; Acquittal<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), was enacted to combat drug trafficking and abuse through stringent provisions. Section 37, in particular, makes the grant of bail exceptionally difficult in cases involving commercial quantities of narcotics. At the same time, Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the fundamental right<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[4798],"class_list":["post-31605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-criminal-law","tag-criminal-law"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.4 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Article 21 vs. Section 37 of the NDPS Act: When Constitutional Liberty Prevails Over Strict Bail Conditions - Legal Service India - Articles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Can Article 21 justify bail under Section 37 of the NDPS Act? 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