The Madhya Pradesh High Court awarded Rs 10 lakh compensation to a businessman jailed for 57 days after airport screening equipment allegedly misidentified aamchur powder and garam masala as narcotic substances, highlighting serious deficiencies in forensic infrastructure and airport narcotics detection mechanisms.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has awarded Rs 10 lakh compensation to a businessman who spent 57 days in jail after airport screening equipment allegedly misidentified common kitchen spices, including aamchur powder and garam masala, as narcotic substances (Heroin) . The case has drawn attention to serious deficiencies in forensic infrastructure and the reliability of airport screening mechanisms used in criminal investigations involving narcotics offences.
The incident dates back to May 2010, when businessman Ajay Singh was travelling from Bhopal to Delhi before proceeding onward to Malaysia. During routine security screening at the airport in Bhopal, packets carried in Singh’s luggage triggered alerts on an Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) machine installed at the airport.
Security officials allegedly suspected that the packets contained heroin and MDEA, a psychotropic substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act). Following the alert generated by the machine, Singh was detained, arrested and subsequently sent to judicial custody under stringent provisions of the NDPS Act.
According to court records, the seized samples were first forwarded to the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) in Bhopal for examination. However, the RFSL reportedly returned the samples, stating that it did not possess the necessary facilities or technical capability to properly analyse and verify the suspected substances.
The samples were thereafter sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Hyderabad for detailed scientific testing. After conducting forensic examination, the CFSL concluded that the packets contained no narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or prohibited material. The laboratory findings established that the suspicious material was merely aamchur powder and garam masala.
Following receipt of the forensic report, Ajay Singh was released from custody on July 2, 2010, after having spent 57 days in jail. Subsequently, the concerned NDPS court accepted a closure report in the matter.
While hearing Singh’s petition seeking compensation, the Madhya Pradesh High Court observed that his prolonged incarceration was the direct consequence of serious lapses in the State’s forensic infrastructure and absence of proper testing facilities at the regional level.
The Court noted that had adequate forensic systems and scientific testing facilities been available locally, the businessman could have been released much earlier and unnecessary deprivation of liberty could have been avoided. The High Court also emphasised that Explosive Trace Detector machines are only preliminary or indicative tools and cannot be treated as conclusive proof of the presence of narcotic substances without proper forensic confirmation.
During the proceedings, concerns were also raised regarding the calibration and functioning of the imported screening equipment used at the airport.
It was argued that the machine may not have been properly calibrated to account for aromatic Indian spices, leading to false-positive alerts during the screening process.
The High Court held that the wrongful detention of the businessman amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, which protects the right to life and personal liberty. Holding the State responsible for the unlawful incarceration, the Court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to pay compensation of Rs10 lakh to Singh within a period of three months. Apart from granting compensation, the Court also issued directions aimed at preventing recurrence of similar incidents in future.
The Bench directed the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh to conduct inspections of regional forensic science laboratories across the State and ensure that they are equipped with modern scientific testing facilities, updated technology and adequately trained personnel.
The Court observed that strengthening forensic infrastructure was essential to avoid wrongful arrests and prolonged incarceration arising from delayed or inaccurate forensic verification.
During the proceedings, the petitioner had reportedly sought substantially higher compensation and also requested an inquiry into the procurement and functioning of the airport detection machines involved in the incident.
However, the High Court did not grant those additional reliefs. At the same time, the Court granted liberty to Ajay Singh to pursue separate civil proceedings if he wished to seek additional damages for the harm allegedly suffered due to the wrongful prosecution and detention.
The case has once again reignited debate over the reliability of airport detection systems, the dangers of overreliance on preliminary screening technology and the urgent need for timely forensic verification in cases involving grave criminal charges under anti-narcotics laws.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE