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Heroin

Last updated on May 31, 2024

Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on drugs and narcotics which some readers may find disturbing. 

Heroin is a derivative of opium, the chemical term for which is Diacetylmorphine, also known as dia-morphine. 

It is illegal to manufacture, possess, transport, inter-state import/export, sell, purchase and use heroin. The punishment for carrying out any of these activities is proportional to the quantity of Heroin involved and not the type of activity.

  • Small quantity (5 gm) – jail time  up to 1 year and/or fine up to Rs 10,000
  • 5 gm to 250 gm – jail time  up to 10 years and fine up to Rs 1 lakh 

Commercial quantity (250 gm) – jail time  between 10 and 20 years, and fine between Rs. 1 lakh and 2 lakhs. The Court may also impose a fine of more than Rs. 2 lakhs.1

  1. Section 21, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. [↩]

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