Police Can’t Act on Cognizable Offences Under Drugs & Cosmetics Act: SC

Union Of India Vs Ashok Kumar Sharma And Others (Supreme Court of India) In the case of Union of India Vs Ashok Kumar Sharma and Others, the Supreme Court clarified the scope of police authority and the role of Drugs Inspectors under Chapter IV of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The court held that police officers are not empowered to prosecute offenders or register FIRs for cognizable offences under this chapter. This authority is exclusively vested in persons specified under Section 32 of the Act, primarily Drugs Inspectors. However, police officers may prosecute offenders for cognizable ...