Confiscation of goods used for concealing illicit drugs or substances
Section 61 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 deals with confiscation of goods used for concealing illicit drugs or substances. Any goods used for concealing any [narcotic drug, psychotropic substance] or controlled substance which is liable to confiscation under this Act shall also be liable to confiscation. The Act came into force on 14 Nov 1985.
Any goods used for concealing any 1[narcotic drug, psychotropic substance] or controlled substance which is liable to confiscation under this Act shall also be liable to confiscation.
Explanation.-- In this section "goods" does not include conveyance as a means of transport.
Section 61, The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (Act 61 of 1985).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Referred to by 1
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Santosh Mishra vs State Govt. of N.c.t. of Delhi
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
In bail applications under Section 439 CrPC involving serious drug trafficking charges with substantial recovery of narcotic drugs, procedural defects in search and notice procedures cannot be appreciated at the bail stage but must be examined during trial after recording of prosecution evidence. The court should not prejudge procedural compliance issues at bail stage. The gravity of charges and quantum of recovery are material considerations in bail decisions, and procedural irregularities do not automatically entitle an accused to bail without showing prejudice. The trial court should be directed to expedite proceedings to ensure compliance with constitutional guarantee of expeditious trial.
On this section: Offence related to narcotic drugs; charge framed under this section
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 61
What have the courts held on Section 61 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act?
Santosh Mishra vs State Govt. of N.c.t. of Delhi (05 Dec 2003) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Offence related to narcotic drugs; charge framed under this section.
How do I find court cases under Section 61 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: NDPS Act 61, section 61 NDPS Act, section 61 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. People searching for it also type ndps 61 85 and 61 ndps act punishment. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Santosh Mishra vs State Govt. of N.c.t. of Delhi (05 Dec 2003).
What should I read with Section 61 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and has it changed?
1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.
When did Section 61 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act come into force?
Section 61 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, cited as NDPS Act 61, came into force on 14 Nov 1985, having been enacted on 16 Sep 1985. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions1747 words
- 68B. Definitions819 words
- 9. Power of Central Government to permit, control and regulate816 words
- 36A. Offences triable by Special Courts631 words
- 10. Power of State Government to permit, control and regulate568 words
- 42. Power of entry, search, seizure and arrest without warrant or authorisation507 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.