H. S. Arun Kumar VS State of Goa

Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

M. S. SONAK, BHARAT P. DESHPANDE
H. S. Arun Kumar – Appellant
Versus
State of Goa – Respondent

Counsel for the Parties:
For the Applicant:Mr. Ryan da Menezes, Mr. Dhaval Zaveri, Mr. Nigel John Fernandes, Ms. Gina Almeida, Mr. S. Kamulkar, Mr. N. Govekar and Ms. S. Alvares, Advocates
For the Narcotic Control Bureau:Mr. Anil Singh, Additional Solicitor General of India, with Mr. Pravin Faldessai, Deputy Solicitor General of India; Mr. Raviraj Chodankar, Central Government Standing Counsel; Mr. Aditiya Thakkar and Mr. Shreeram Sirsat, Advocates
For the State: Mr. S.G. Bhobe, Public Prosecutor
For the Accused Persons:Mr. Rizwan Merchant with Mr. Gaurish Agni, Mr. Taraq Sayed, Ms. Gayatri Gokhale Moorjani, Ms. Zainba Abdi, Advocates
For the Accused Persons:Ms. Caroline Collasso, Mr. Shivan Desai, and Mr. K. Poulekar, Advocates

JUDGMENT

M.S. Sonak, J.—Heard the learned Counsel.

2. The issue in this reference is whether the combined weight of the L.S.D. and the blotter or just the weight of the pure L.S.D. is relevant to determine the small or commercial quantity and the consequent punishment under the NDPS Act, 1985.

3. Hitesh Hemant Malhotra vs. State of Maharashtra, 2020 S.C.C. online Bom. 3581, delivered by S. K.Shinde, J. holds that only the weight of the Pure L.S.D. matters. In Narcotics Control Bureau vs. Anuj Keshwani and Anr., 2021 SCC OnLine Bom 4548, Revati Mohite Dere, J. holds that the combined weight of the blotter impregnated with L.S.D. is determinative in such matters.

4. On 28.07.2022, S. K. Shinde, J. made a referral order in Criminal Application (Bail) No.752/2021 (F) after noticing the above conflict and formulated the following questions for reference to a Bench of two Judges.

(i) Whether blotter paper forms an integral part of the L.S.D. (drug), when put on it for consumption and, as such, weight of blotter paper containing L.S.D. will have to be considered for the purpose

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M. S. SONAK, BHARAT P. DESHPANDEH. S. Arun Kumar – AppellantVersusState of Goa – Respondent

Cases Referred (9)

M. S. SONAK, BHARAT P. DESHPANDE
H. S. Arun Kumar – Appellant
Versus
State of Goa – Respondent