Arijit Pasayat, J. - (1.) Challenge in this appeal is to the judgment of the Calcutta High Court quashing charges framed under Section 20(b)(ii)(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (in short the 'NDPS Act') as amended by Act 9 of 2001. The High Court directed the trial court to frame charges under Section 20(b) (i) of the Act.
(2.) The background facts in a nutshell are as follows : A complaint was filed under Section 8 of the Act alleging commission of offence punishable under Section 20(b)(i) of the Act on 21.9.2001. The unamended provision reads as follows : "20. Punishment for contravention in relation to Cannabis plant and Cannabis -" Whoever, in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence granted thereunder : (b) Produces, manufactures, possesses, sells, purchases, transports, imports interstate, exports inter-State or uses cannabis shall be punishable - (i) Where such contravention relates to Ganja or the cultivation of Cannabis Plant, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees............" The NDPS Amendment Act, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Amendment Act') introduce certain changes. Charges were framed in the instant case under Section 20(b)(ii)(c) of the Act (as amended on 16.1.2002). The amended provision read as follows : "20. Punishment for contravention in relation to cannabis plant and cannabis - Whoever, in contravention, of any provisions of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence granted thereunder : (b) Produces, manufactures, possesses, sells, purchases, transports, imports inter- State, exports inter-State or uses cannabis, shall be punishable - (ii) Where such contravention relates to sub-clause (b) - (a) and involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both; (b) and involves quantity lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years and with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees; (c) and involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to twenty years and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees. Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupees." The High Court was of the view that a new offence was made out because a higher punishment was imposed. Stand of the appellant is that no new offence was created but what was provided for related to more stringent sentence. It is, therefore, submitted that the High Court was not justified in holding that the new offence was committed.
(3.) Learned counsel for the respondent supported the judgment of the High Court.;