Legal Provisions of Section 274 of Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Adulteration of drugs:
Adulteration of drugs or medical preparation has been made an offence under this section. The section states that whoever adulterates any drug or medical preparation is such a manner as to lessen either the efficacy of the same or change its operation, or to make it noxious, with the intention that it shall either be sold or used for, or with the knowledge that it is likely that it will either be sold or used for, any medicinal purpose, shall be punished with simple or rigorous imprisonment for a term extending up to six months, or with fine extending up to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Image Source: debugmind.com
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The section requires that there must be adulteration of any drug or medical preparation. This must be done in such a manner as to lessen its efficacy or change its operation, or to make it noxious. The accused must have the intention that it shall be sold or used for any medicinal purpose, or knowledge that it is likely to be so sold or used, as if to show that no such adulteration has taken place.
The offence under this section is non-cognizable, bailable and non-compoundable, and is triable by magistrate of the first class.