Property Owner Can Only Be Prosecuted if Aware and Permitted Use of Premises for Drug Offences: Karnataka High Court

In a significant judgment under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), the Karnataka High Court quashed criminal proceedings against R Gopal Reddy, a 68-year-old property owner. The Court ruled that a property owner cannot be held liable under Section 25 of the NDPS Act unless it is proven that they had knowledge of their premises being used for illegal activities involving narcotic drugs. Background of the Case…