The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it would not challenge the bail granted to Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty by the Bombay High Court in cases registered against her under the NDPS Act.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju conveyed to the bench comprising Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh that the government would not pursue its appeal against the bail decision.
However, Raju emphasized that the interpretation of Section 27A of the NDPS Act by the Bombay High Court should be left open for challenge at a more suitable time.
Section 27A of the NDPS Act deals with the financing of illicit traffic and harboring of offenders, carrying a maximum prison term of 20 years. Acknowledging the government’s stance, the bench disposed of the appeal while clarifying that the High Court’s order would not serve as a binding precedent.
In October 2021, the Bombay High Court had granted bail to Rhea Chakraborty.
The court underscored that merely providing funds for drug purchase did not imply involvement in illicit trafficking. Furthermore, the High Court emphasized that providing money to someone for consuming drugs did not necessarily equate to encouraging their consumption.
Rhea was arrested in the NDPS case on September 8, 2021 and got bail a month later, on October 4, 2021.
