Bombay High Court rejects bail plea of man accused of selling charas-laced brownies

The Bombay High Court recently expressed concern over the physical and emotional risks of drug abuse among the youth and adolescents, while rejecting the bail plea of a man accused of selling charas-laced brownies. [Rahmeen Rafiq Charania v. Union of India].Justice Anuja Prabhudessai observed that drug abuse among adolescents and the youth pose a high risk of physical, psychological and emotional disorders. ."The long-term and long-lasting effects of drug abuse not only impact the user but also have devastating effects on the entire family," she added. .The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) investigating the case had claimed that the people, who allegedly purchased the marijuana laced-brownies from the accused, were youngsters who were the accused peddler's primary targets. .The NCB also informed the Court that the accused had been taking orders and selling charas-infused brownies through an online delivery platform, named the WeFast App.He had been arrested after the NCB found about 10 kilograms of charas-laced brownies during a raid..Advocate Shreeram Shirsat, appearing for the NCB, argued that the statements of the witnesses, prima facie, indicated that the accused had targeted young, vulnerable victims and subjected them to the long-lasting deadly impact of substance abuse.Meanwhile, Advocate Taraq Sayyed, for the accused, argued that there was a discrepancy in the seizure procedure conducted by the NCB. He urged for bail, while highlighting that the accused, a young boy with no criminal antecedents, had been in custody since July 12, 2021.He said that considering the number of cases pending before courts, the possibility of a speedy trial was bleak..The judge, however, rejected the bail plea after noting that the allegations were, prima facie, made out against the accused. As such, the bar on grant of bail under Section 37 of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) would come into play, the Court noted. Justice Prabhudessai also reasoned that there was a possibility that the accused may continue the online sale of charas-laced brownies to students and adolescents.In view of this, she proceeded to reject his bail application.[Read order]