Tapentadol Not a Scheduled Drug Under NDPS Act, Rules Supreme Court While Granting Anticipatory Bail

The Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to the accused after ruling that Tapentadol Hydrochloride is not a scheduled psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985.

The case arose from the recovery of 550 Tapentadol tablets from a car in which the appellant was travelling. An FIR was filed under Sections 22 and 29 of the NDPS Act.

The P&H High Court had earlier rejected the plea for anticipatory bail.

However, the Supreme Court accepted the argument that Tapentadol is not listed under the NDPS schedule and directed that, if arrested, the appellant shall be released on bail by the trial court on appropriate terms.