It is not a crime to get small quantities of drugs, the Ministry of Social Justice recommended

- Section 27 of the NDPS Act provides for imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to Rs. 20,000 for use of any drug or psychotropic substance.

New delhi date. Monday, October 25, 2021

The Aryan Khan drugs case is being discussed across the country. In the midst of all this, the Ministry of Social Justice has recommended that the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use be removed from the category of crime. The ministry had handed over a review of the Narcotic Drugs and Narcotics (NDPS) Act to the revenue department.

At present there is no provision of relief or exemption under the NDPS Act and the accused under the Act can avoid punishment and imprisonment only if he himself wishes to go to a rehabilitation center.

Ministry's suggestion

In a recommendation shared with the revenue department last week, the ministry suggested that low-volume drugs for personal use be found to be out of the category of crime, officials said. The ministry recommended that a person caught with lesser amounts of drugs for personal use should be sent to government centers for compulsory treatment instead of jail.

Possession of drugs is an offense in India and section 27 of the NDPS Act provides for imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to Rs 20,000 for consumption of any drug or psychotropic substance.