Supreme Court of India adopts liberal approach to ganja bail cases

The Supreme Court of India has stated that it maintains a liberal approach toward granting bail in cases involving ganja (marijuana). This observation was made by a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale during a hearing regarding the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The court's comments came while reviewing a plea filed by Biswanath Mandal, a West Bengal man challenging a Calcutta High Court order that rejected his application for anticipatory bail. The case involves the alleged seizure of approximately 252.33 kg of ganja from a house in Cooch Behar.

Mandal has contested the charges, arguing he was not present during the search and that there is no evidence linking him to the ownership or possession of the premises where the contraband was found. The bench suggested that individuals facing bail rejections in such cases may approach the Supreme Court, noting the court's tendency toward leniency in marijuana-related matters.