ABDUL RASHID IBRAHIM MANSURI vs THE STATE OF GUJARAT

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellant under Section 20(b)(ii) of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, affirming the High Court's decision that the presumption of knowledge under Section 35 of the Act was not rebutted by the appellant. The Court found that the appellant, an auto-rickshaw driver, failed to prove his lack of knowledge regarding the contraband, which was valued at Rs. 5.29 lakhs. The sentence of ten years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of one lakh was confirmed.