Repeated Possession of Drugs Can Attract KAAPA holds Full Bench of Kerala High Court

A Full Bench of the Kerala High Court held that repeated possession of even small quantities of narcotic drugs can attract provisions of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 (KAAPA).

The Court ruled that such possession amounts to “stocking” under the Act and can classify a person as a “drug offender” or “goonda.”

It rejected earlier views that only commercial quantity or intent to sell would attract KAAPA.

The Court also noted that under the NDPS Act, possession itself is an offence regardless of quantity, and repeated involvement in such acts can justify preventive action under KAAPA.

[Aaliya Ashraf v. State of Kerala]