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Crime
Jharkhand HC Overturns 7-Year Sentence in 11kg Ganja Case
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 07 Jul 2026, 05:32 AM
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The Jharkhand High Court has overturned a seven-year jail sentence in a case involving 11 kilograms of 'ganja', ruling that bhang is not covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The Jharkhand High Court has set aside a seven-year prison sentence previously handed down in a case concerning the seizure of 11 kilograms of 'ganja'. The court's decision hinges on the interpretation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
According to the ruling, the court clarified that 'bhang', which is derived from the cannabis plant, is not explicitly included within the scope of the NDPS Act. This distinction led to the overturning of the conviction and the subsequent jail term for the individual involved.
The legal interpretation focused on the specific definitions and inclusions within the NDPS Act, finding that the substance in question, identified as 'ganja', did not meet the criteria for being classified as a prohibited narcotic drug or psychotropic substance under the prevailing laws, particularly concerning its derivative 'bhang'.
According to the ruling, the court clarified that 'bhang', which is derived from the cannabis plant, is not explicitly included within the scope of the NDPS Act. This distinction led to the overturning of the conviction and the subsequent jail term for the individual involved.
The legal interpretation focused on the specific definitions and inclusions within the NDPS Act, finding that the substance in question, identified as 'ganja', did not meet the criteria for being classified as a prohibited narcotic drug or psychotropic substance under the prevailing laws, particularly concerning its derivative 'bhang'.