On Thursday, the Apex Court indicated that it might be amenable to granting bail in cases involving Ganja (marijuana) or Csaras (hashish) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). However, it suggested that such leniency might not extend to cases involving heroin.

A division bench of Justice CT Ravikumar and Justice Sanjay Karol, while reviewing the bail application of a 61-year-old woman accused of carrying 500 grams of heroin, remarked, "In cases involving charas and ganja, we have shown leniency when bail is requested. However, for heroin cases, we must adopt a stricter approach."

The High Court of Punjab & Haryana had earlier denied bail, noting that the woman was in the vehicle where the contraband was discovered. 

When the case reached the Supreme Court, the accused's counsel argued for bail based on her age and claimed that no contraband was found in her possession. Justice Ravikumar pointed out that the woman is alleged to have been found with 500 grams of heroin.

"Heroin finishes everything. It wipes away the younger generation completely. We cannot interfere right now," Justice Karol added.

We may grant bail in NDPS cases where ganja and charas is involved, but not for heroin: Supreme Court