One acquitted due to evidence mismatch

Panaji: In the case of an alleged ganja seizure, a North Goa court acquitted Suresh Chowrasiya of Jharkhand, giving him the benefit of doubt. It observed that the investigating officer attached a green, leafy substance, and the expert analysed greenish brown, dry, leafy and flowery parts of the plant.

The prosecution said Chowrasiya was found in illegal possession of 1.5kg of ganja at Arpora on Jan 9, 2018.


The court said the “entire evidence of police witnesses is of seizure of a green, leafy substance, and even the inventory proceedings are of the green, leafy substance, whereas the expert report is in regard to flowery and fruiting tops”.

“One can’t understand how the green, leafy substance turned into flowery and fruity tops, and how it was received by the expert. Hence, the benefit of doubt deserves to be given to the accused,” observed additional sessions judge at Merces, Artikumari N Naik.