NDPS Act | Calcutta High Court Refuses To Quash Proceedings Against Ex-CPI(M) Leader Accused Of Smuggling 3400 Kgs Of ‘Poppy Seeds’

The Calcutta High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against former CPI leader and alleged fake currency racketeer Mr. Asadullah Biswas, accused under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 for allegedly storing and transporting 3400 kgs of poppy seeds, from a storage facility owned by him. The Bench comprising Justice Shampa Paul while directing the matter to proceed towards trial, has held that: "The prima facie case of the prosecution against the petitioner Ashadullah Biswas is that he stores contraband in his godown and a huge quantity of poppy straw was loaded for transportation from the godown of Ashadullah Biswas. Further case is that Ashadullah Biswas, the petitioner on regular basis stores poppy straw unlawfully in his godown and transports the same to different parts of the country. Other than the said statements there are also other materials on record to show that there is a prima facie case against the petitioner to proceed towards trial.” BACKGROUND FACTS The Narcotics Control Bureau alleged that Ashadullah Biswas stores contraband in his godown and a huge quantity of poppy straw was loaded for transportation from his godown.