Law: Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997

Section: 9(c), 51(2)

Law: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898

Section: 497(2)

SUMMARY The petitioner sought post-arrest bail in a narcotics case involving alleged recovery of 1100 grams Methamphetamine (ICE). However, the chemical report revealed that the substance was Aluminum Ammonium Sulfate (non-narcotic). Due to this material contradiction, the Court held that there were no reasonable grounds to connect the accused with the offence, and the case fell within the ambit of further inquiry. Accordingly, bail was granted.  TAG LINE “Where recovered substance is not a narcotic drug, the entire prosecution case collapses—bail must follow.” ORDER; Through instant petition, Arshad Mehmood (petitioner) has sought post-arrest bail in case arising out of F.I.R.No.993/2025 dated: 25.12.2025 registered under Section: 9(2)6 of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 at Police Station: Phularwan, District Sargodha. Briefly, as per case of prosecution narrated in the F.I.R., on 25.12.2025, petitioner was apprehended by Muhammad Umar, Inspector and other police officials and on his personal search, 1100 grams of Methamphetamine (ICE) and amount of Rs.800/- were recovered from his possession; for ready reference, Crime Report (F.I.R.) is hereby scanned below: -   Learned Deputy Prosecutor General at the very outset under instructions of police official (present in Court) and after himself going through the available record submits that as per Crime Report (F.I.R.), Methamphetamine (ICE) weighing 1100 grams was recovered from the petitioner and sample taken out from the same was sent to Punjab Forensic Science Authority, Lahore for chemical analysis, however, as per report of said Authority, Methamphetamine (ICE) has not been confirmed in said sample rather it was Aluminium Ammonium Sulfate which has been clearly mentioned in said report as non-controlled substance. It is relevant to mention here that Aluminum Ammonium Sulphate is also known as Ammonium Alum, its chemical formula is “(NH4)Al(SO4)2”.  It  is  commonly  found  in  its  hydrated  form i.e. “(NH4)Al(SO4)2⋅12H2O” (Aluminum Ammonium Sulphate Dodecahydrate), which appears as white…