Rajasthan man gets 10-year RI for trafficking 54 kg ganja across states
Synopsis
Seven years after NCB officials pulled over a Wagon-R on a Guna bypass and found 54 kilograms of ganja hidden behind plastic panels, a Madhya Pradesh special court has delivered its verdict — 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and a ₹1 lakh fine for the Rajasthan carrier at the centre of an Andhra Pradesh-to-Delhi drug chain.
Key Takeaways
A Special NDPS Court in Guna, Madhya Pradesh sentenced Rajesh Pal of Suratgarh, Rajasthan to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment on 8 October 2026 .
Pal was also fined ₹1 lakh for trafficking 54.380 kg of ganja sourced from Andhra Pradesh and destined for Delhi .
The contraband — 28 packets — was found hidden in a Wagon-R car intercepted at Bhopal Bypass Chauraha on 17 August 2019 by the NCB's Bhopal Zonal Unit .
Pal was convicted under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985 .
The NCB urged citizens to report drug trafficking via its toll-free helpline 1933 , with informer identities kept confidential.
A Special NDPS Court in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday, 8 October 2026, sentenced Rajesh Pal, a resident of R.C.P. Colony, Suratgarh, Rajasthan, to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh for trafficking 54.380 kg of ganja across state lines — from Andhra Pradesh to Delhi. The conviction follows an inter-state drug bust that dates back to 17 August 2019, when the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) intercepted the contraband at a highway checkpoint in Guna.
The Arrest and Seizure
Officials from the NCB's Bhopal Zonal Unit stopped a Wagon-R car at Bhopal Bypass Chauraha in Guna on 17 August 2019 during a targeted operation. A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 54.380 kg of ganja packed across 28 packets, concealed at multiple locations inside the car. The contraband had been wrapped in adhesive tape and stashed in a black bag in the rear luggage compartment, with additional packets hidden inside a plastic panel between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat — a level of concealment that pointed to a planned trafficking operation, according to the NCB.
Charges and Conviction
Following his arrest, Pal was charged under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. These provisions cover the possession, transport, and abetment of drug trafficking. After over five years of investigation and trial proceedings, the Special NDPS Court in Guna returned its verdict, convicting Pal on all cited counts and imposing the maximum applicable rigorous imprisonment alongside the financial penalty.
Inter-State Trafficking Link Established
Investigators established that the ganja had been sourced from Andhra Pradesh and was en route to Delhi, confirming an organised inter-state trafficking chain. The NCB said the case exemplified the kind of cross-border narcotics movement its Zonal Units are specifically deployed to disrupt. Notably, the seized vehicle was subsequently auctioned off following completion of all prescribed legal procedures and formalities, the agency confirmed.
NCB's Response and Public Appeal
The NCB described the conviction as a reflection of its sustained efforts to clamp down on the transportation of narcotic drugs across state borders, reiterating its zero-tolerance stance towards drug trafficking. The agency also renewed its appeal to citizens to report information on drug sale, transportation, or trafficking through the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline on the toll-free number 1933, assuring that the identity of all informers would be kept strictly confidential. This case joins a growing list of NDPS convictions secured by the NCB's Bhopal unit in recent years, as courts across Madhya Pradesh increasingly hand down stiff sentences in drug trafficking matters.
Point of View
Critics argue, blunts deterrence even when sentences are eventually stiff. The case also illustrates a recurring pattern: Andhra Pradesh as a source state, Delhi as the destination, and Madhya Pradesh's highway network as a transit corridor — a triangle that enforcement agencies have repeatedly flagged but struggled to fully disrupt. The NCB's emphasis on conviction statistics is understandable, but the harder question is whether inter-state intelligence sharing has improved enough to catch trafficking networks before they reach the road. A single carrier serving 10 years is a result; dismantling the supply chain behind him would be the bigger win.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was convicted in the Guna NDPS court ganja trafficking case?
Rajesh Pal, a resident of R.C.P. Colony in Suratgarh, Rajasthan, was convicted by the Special NDPS Court in Guna, Madhya Pradesh. He was sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹1 lakh for trafficking 54.380 kg of ganja.
When and where was the ganja seized by the NCB?
The NCB's Bhopal Zonal Unit seized the ganja on 17 August 2019 after intercepting a Wagon-R car at Bhopal Bypass Chauraha in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh. The 54.380 kg of contraband was found packed in 28 packets hidden at multiple spots inside the vehicle.
What charges was Rajesh Pal convicted under?
Pal was convicted under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which cover possession, transportation, and abetment of drug trafficking.
What was the source and destination of the trafficked ganja?
Investigators established that the ganja had been sourced from Andhra Pradesh and was being transported to Delhi, confirming an inter-state trafficking operation spanning at least three states.
How can citizens report drug trafficking to the NCB?
The NCB has urged citizens to share information about drug sale, transportation, or trafficking through the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline on the toll-free number 1933. The agency has assured that the identity of all informers will be kept strictly confidential.
