Procedural Failures by DRI Lead to Acquittal in 2,080 kg Ganja Seizure Case
-l-thumb.png)
Nagpur, India- The Additional Sessions Judge acquitted Pala Subba Rao Bogeshwar Rao, a resident of Andhra Pradesh, who was indicted of transporting 2,080 kg of ganja in a truck. On October 26, 2019, based on the ground of intel, officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) raided Mouda Toll Booth. They stopped a truck travelling from Raipur to Nagpur. The driver was investigated for a while and then after he admitted that 78 bags of ganja were hidden under phosphate bags in the truck's cargo section.
Due to unsuitable conditions at the toll booth, the truck and driver were taken to the CGST office. There, 2,080 kg of ganja was found hidden under the phosphate bags. Proceedings under the NDPS Act were started against the driver.
During the trial, after recording the evidence, defence counsel Adv. Ramesh Rawlani argued that there were differences in the oral testimonies of police witnesses, as well as inconsistencies between the police and panch witnesses. Additionally, there was noncompliance with procedural and mandatory provisions of the NDPS Act.
After hearing both sides, the judge acquitted the accused, giving him the benefit of the doubt. The accused was represented by lawyers Ramesh Rawlani and Atul Rawlani.
-t-thumb.jpeg)
