Section 31 of NDPS Act, 1985 : Section 31: Enhanced Punishment For Offences After Previous Conviction

Explanation using Example

Example of Section 31 of The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985:

Raj was previously convicted for possessing a significant amount of cocaine, which is an offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. He served a sentence of 5 years in prison. Two years after his release, Raj was again caught with a large quantity of heroin. Due to his prior conviction, the court applied Section 31, which resulted in Raj receiving an enhanced punishment. Instead of the standard maximum term for the new offence, he was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a term one and one-half times longer than the maximum term prescribed for a first-time offender. Additionally, the fine imposed on him was one and one-half times the maximum amount that could have been levied on a first-time offender.