Holding

The appellant was held to be in conscious possession of the explosives, and the conviction under Section 5 of the TADA Act, Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act and Section 9‑B of the Explosives Act stands.

Summary

The appellant, D.P. Gupta, was charged under Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act and the TADA Act for possessing large quantities of gelatine, detonators and other explosive materials found in his godowns and an underground room. The key issue was whether he had "conscious possession"—i.e., both physical control and knowledge of the nature of the articles—since Section 5 requires a mental element. The Supreme Court examined the factual backdrop, noting that Gupta owned the premises, the seals on the containers were intact, and there was no evidence that anyone else placed the explosives without his knowledge. The Court also held that the confessional statement recorded by the police was voluntary and reliable. Applying the statutory presumption that such explosives are intended for terrorist or disruptive acts, the Court affirmed the trial court’s finding of conscious possession and upheld the conviction. The appeal was dismissed.

Issues considered

Whether the appellant was in conscious possession of the explosives under Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act and the TADA Act.
Whether the confessional statement recorded by the police was admissible and voluntary.
Whether the statutory presumption of terrorist use applies to the seized explosives.
Whether the trial court correctly applied the law on possession and conviction under the relevant statutes.

Legislation cited

Explosive Substances Act, 1908s. 4, s. 5, s. 9-B
Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 120B
Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987s. 3(1), s. 3(3), s. 5, s. 6

Subjects

conscious possessionexplosive substancesTADAconfessional statementstatutory presumptionterrorismevidencepossession doctrine

Judgment

DURGA' PRASAD GUPTA A
v.
THE STA TE OF RAJASTHAN THROUGH C.B.l.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2003

[DORAISWAMY RAJU AND ARIJIT PASAYAT, JJ.] B
E-rp/osive Substances Act, 1908 :

Section 5: Accused charged with poss~ssion ofexplosive substances-
Held: Unless the possesion is coupled with requisite mental element, i.e. C
conscious possession and not mere custody without awareness of the
nature of such possession, Section 5 not attracted.

Large quantities of explosives and other contraband articles found
from the godown of Accused-Held, not only belies but militates against
the very plea of Accused/Appellant relating to conscious possession. D
Trial under-Once conscious possession ofcontraband articles found
in possession of Accused no further nexus with any terrorist or disruptive
activity is required to be proved-Statut01y presumption would arise that
the said arm or explosive substance was meant to be used for a terrorist E
or disruptive act.

Criminal Trial :

Confessional Statement-No denial by Accused (hpf s,tatement was

., recorded~No challenge made that the st~tement was n;i voluntary and/ F
or was result ofcoercion or undue influence or threat-The Statement was
elaborate and inculpated with the details like the source ofpurchase of the
articles-Such details were within the personal and special knowledge of
Accused-There is no reason to discard the confessional statement.

Words and Phrases:
G

"Conscious possession" meaning of

In the presence of independent witnesses a search was made at
"" ·the godowns of the Appellant and in his presence various incriminating H
2 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2003] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A articles like gelatine and detonators were recovered for which the
Appellant had no licence to deal with. After the investigation, prosecution
came to know that the transaction to deal with these explosive
substances were illegal and were to aid and abet the terrorist activities.
It also came to the knowledge of the prosecution that another Accused
B A-5 was engaged in abetting the terrorist activities in J & K and used
to procure explosives from the Appellant and other co-accused as
preparatory acts for the terrorist activities.

According to the prosecution the above facts established that
A-5 and other co-accused including the Appellants had committed
C offences punishable under Sections 1208 IPC read with Sections 3(1),
3(3), 5 and 6 of TADA Act, Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Explosive
Substances Act and Section 9B of the Explosive Act. Another co-
accused had committed offence under Section 9B of the Explosive Act.

The Trial Court found the Accused guilty for offences punishable
D
' under Section 5 of the TADA Act, Section 4 and 5 of the Explosive
Substar1ces Act and Section 9B of the Explosive Act. Hence this appeal.

It was contended by the Accused Appell:>nt that the conscious
possession which was sine qua non for establishing the accusations had
E not been proved; that the room from where the contraband articles
were seized was easily accessible; that the Explosives Controller's
report was not very clear; that ther.e was no material to show where
the articles were kept during the da~e of seizure and ~he date of report;
that even if it is heid that at some point in time of possession and the
F same was pursuant to any conspiracy, that cannot stick to the
Appellant as there was no charge under Section 120B IPC; and that
confessional statement was recorded without granting proper time for
reflection.

It was contended by the State that the stand taken about conscious
G possession was clearly untenable because the room was part of the
premises owned by the Accused; that there was no suggestion that
somebody else had planted the articles, on the contrary the suggestion
was that some one had kept the article for safe custody; that the
confessional statement suffered from no infirmity as all procedural
H safeguards were taken; i~ was not the date of discovery which was ,.. '
D.P. GUPTA v. STATE OF RAJ. THROUGH C.B.I. ..
:>

A relevant and earlier possession subsequent to the date of notification A
_., was material; for the article seized at Gazhiabad border is concerned;
a camouflage was made to take the articles as if they were harmless
(
chemicals; that Appellant had himself admitted that he was previously
having a licence to deal with explosives, but the licence was subsequently
not renewed; and that wh-ether the almirah was locked or whether the
B
room was locked or open did not make any difference when possession
has been established.

Dismissing the appeal, the Court

~ HELD : 1.1. Whether there was conscious possession has to be c
determined with reference to the factual backdrop. The facts which can
be culled out from the evidence on record is that the Accused was the
owner of the premises. It has not even been remotely suggested that
somebody else kept the articles, without his knowledge. (14-B, CJ
D
.; 1.2. Once possession is established the person who claims that it
. was not a conscious possession has to establish it, because how he came
to be in possession is within his,special knowledge. [15-A]

1.3. The factual scenario noticed by the Trial Court is based on E
the evidence of PWs 2 and 5. The evidence of the Explosive Controller
and the analysis· made by him has been established. The Explosive
Controllers' report shows that the seals were intact. In fact the
suggestion given by the defence was that the goods were kept for safe
custody by some one. It strengthens the prosecution version rather
than weakening it. It was found out that the articles were gelatine,
F
electric detonator and detonator. There was an attempt to eraze the
seals of the manufacturer on the seized containers. The Explosive
Controller has indicated about the seals to be intact. [15-B-D)

1.4. The large quantities of the explosives and other contraband G
articles not only belies but militates against the very plea of the
Appellant relating to conscious possession. No further nexus with any
terrorist or disruptive activity is required to be proved as a statutory
presumption would arise that the said arm or explosive substance was
-1.
meant to be used for a terrorist or disruptive act. [15-E] H
4 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2003) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A State of Tamil Nadu v. Sivarasan @Sivarasa and Ors., 11997) l SCC
682, referred to.

1.5. Statements of PW-7, PW-5, PW-6 have been analysed in great
detail. The Explosive Controller was examined as PW-8. As rightly
noticed by the Trial Court in spite of lengthy cross examination, no
B crack has been noticed in their statements to discredit their testimony.

[15-F)

1.6. It has been noticed by the Trial Court that there was only one
C entrance towards the concerned room which was above the godown at
the back of the house. It was not an open place as contended to which
any one, without getting into the house itself, can gain entry. Since
gelatine goods is a complete article or device capable of exploding,
ordinary detonator and electric detonators are also complete explosive
substances within the purview of Section 5 of the TADA Ad.
D Additionally, the ordinary detonator and electric detonator in huge
quantity were seized. The possession of these articles in such large
quantity by the Accused has been proved and the&;~ is nothing to
discard the prosecution version that the possessio·n w~s ·conscious.
Additionally, the confessional statement recorded by PW-4 does not
E suffer from any infirmity. 115-G, H, 16-A, BJ

2. It is highlighted that unless the possession was coupled with
requisite mental element, i.e. conscious possession and not mere
custody without awareness of the nature of such possession, Section 5
of the Explosive Substances Act is not attracted. (14-D)
F
3.1. Though it is desirable that sufficient time gap should be given
to the declarant, in addition, to telling him that the statement could be
used in law against him, there is no rigid formula as to what would
be an adequate time. It would depend upon the circumstances of each
G case. On the fact of the present case, the time though was not very long,
yet cannot be said to be too short to cast doubt on the voluntariness
of the statement. At no point of time there was any challenge made that
the statement which was produced in the Court in presence of the
Accused was not voluntary and I or was the result of coercion or undue
influence or threat. In .fact there was no denial of the fact that the
H statement was recorded. 1t has been shown as to in what manner the
D.P. GUPTA v. STATE OF RAJ. THROUGH C.B.I. 5
Accused has been prejudiced by non-granting of longer time. The A
statement recorded is very elaborate and the Accused has inculpated
himself with the details like the source of purchase of the articles which
were within his personal and special knowledge. There is no reason to
discard the evidence of PW-4, and the confessional statement.[16-B-E)

3.2. In .:view of ratio of S.N. Dube 's case, it is not necessary to go B
into the o.ther question whether the part transactions come within the
• umbrella of Section 5, though primafacie.that appears to be the correct
position. (16-G)

S.N. Dube v. NB. Bhoir and Ors., (2002) 2 SC~ 254, relied on: C
4.1. The expression 'possession' is a polymorphous,:terrn \Yhich
assumes different colours in different contexts. It may carry different
meanings in contextually different backgrounds. It is impossible to work
out a completely logical and precise definition of"possession" uniformly
applicable to all situations in the context of all statutes. [14-D, E) D
Superintendent & Remembrancer of Legal Affairs, West Bengal v.
Anil Kumar Bhunja & Ors., AIR (1980) SC 52, referred to.

4.2. Possession in a given case need not be•physical possession but E
can be constructive, having power and control over the article in case ·
in question, while the person whom physical possession is given holds
it subject to that power or control. [14-GJ

Gunwant Lal v. The State of MP., AIR (1972) SC 1756, referred
to.
F
4.3. The word 'possession' means the legal right to possession.
[14-G)

Health v. Drown, (1972) 2 All ER 56 (HL) and Sullivan v. Earl of
Caithness, (1976) 1 All ER 844 (QBD), referred to. G
5. The word 'conscious' means awareness about a particular fact.
It is a state of mind which is deliberate or intended. [14-F]

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No.
756 of 2003. H
6 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2003] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A From the Judgment and Order dated 4.4.2003 of the Rajasthan High
Court in TADA Special Case No. 12 of 1991.

V.N. Ganpule, Subodh Lalit and K.L Taneja for the Appellant.

A. Mariarputham, Ms. Aruna Mathur for P. Parmeswaran, Advocates
B for the Respondent. ··
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by (

ARIJIT PASAYAT, J. : Appellant was found guilty of offences
C punishable under Section 5 of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention)
_Act, 1987 (in short the "TADA Act"), Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive
Sub~t~nce~ Act, 1908 (in short the 'Explosive Act') arid Section 9-B of
Explosives Act, l S84 (in -short the 'Act') read with Rule 115 of Explosives
Rules, 1983 (in short the 'Rules').

D Prosecution case which led to the trial of the accused who was charge
sheeted along with five others in a nutshell is as follows :

On 19.11.1990 complainant Ram Niwas (PW-7), S.H.O., P.S. Moti
Dungri, Jaipur filed a written report Ex. P/10-A through Shri Sanwat Singh
£ on the basis.ofwhich FIR Ex. P/138 was registered at police station Moti
Dungri, Jaipur station that on 19.11.1990 at about 8.15 a.m. complainant
Ram Niwas Yadav along with the driver Ram Pratap of ~he official vehicle
were patrolling. At 9.30 a.m. Ram Niwas received information from
'Mukhbir' that the appellant at his residence plot No. A-4, Gupta Bhawan,
F Deepak Marg, had illegally kept explosives in huge quantity wihout licence
at the godowns and under ground room and at the upper story of his house.
On this information, Ram Niwas called Prabhu Dayal A.S.I., Sampat Singh
ASI, Sanwat Singh H.C., Jaggu Ram G.C., Gordhan Lal, Ramswaroop,
Nand Singh S.l., Suraj Narayan ASI, Bhagwana Ram L.C., Girdhari Lal,
Jawiihar Lal, Rohitash Kumar from the police stations and the. Deputy
G Controller of Explosive, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur, was also called. At 10.30
a.m. Ram Niwas along with the above officials Deputy Controller and
independent witnesses Abdul Latif and Amardeen gathered at a place. C.O.
Adarsh Nagar Sunder Lal S.H.O. Police Station, Adarsh Nagar, Chain
Singh, Addi. S.P., Jaipur city were also informed, who come over. The
H search of the Gupta Bhawan along with the above officials was conducted.
D.P. GUPTA v. STATE OF RAJ. THROUGH C.8.1. [PASAYAT, .I.] 7

During the se~rch, appellant was also present and during the search at the A
back of his house from godown No. I, 149 bags and 69 bags containing
Barium nitrate powder, 2 bags containing blue coloured powder (explosive
substance), I bag containing powder chips were found. During the search
of godown No. 2, 7 bags of white crystalline powder (Sodium nitrate) and
40 plastic bags containing brown coloured powder, 2 bags containing B
brownish coloured powder, I bag containing gum, I bag containing
gandhak powder and 1h bag also containing gandhak powder were found.
During the search of godown No. 3, I 0 big iron drums and 7 small drums
containing Aluminium powder, 14 bags containing other Aluminium
substances, 16 plastic bags containing kusturi coloured shining substance, C
25 plastic bags containing shining substance and I bag containing 1h
sinduri colour powder were found. During the search of godown No. 4,
18 bags which were full and 2 bags which were half filled containing
yellow sulpher powder and 21/i bags containing yellow coloured mixture
and sulphure, 48 bags containing kalmishora were found. During the search
of godown No. 5, 141 bags white coloured powder each bag weighing' D
15 kilogram and on each bag Calcium ammonium nitrate written were
found. During the search of godown No. 6, 176 bags were found, each
bag con'tain~d 50 kilograms of powder on which Calcium ammonia nitrate
was written were found. Thereafter, the underground room of the house
of the appellant was searched and 262 cartons of safety fuse were found. E
Each carton contained 550 meter fuse wire and 18 cartons contained Tiger
Brand Commercial safety fuse and each had 150 coils. The length of each
coil ws 7.32 meters. Thereafter, the room above the godowns was searched
and from the room which had an almirah in which big paper cartons
containing 50 kilogram explosive, gelatine were found. From the brown F
packets IO packets containing 500 electric detonators were found, while
the small carton contained 5200 detonators and all these were explosive
substances. All the above items were sealed separately and taken into
custody and from each godown separate samples for examination were
taken and properly sealed, and sample seal was marked on the seizure
memos. Appellant was asked to produce the licence for the above G
explosives, but he said that he did not have a licence. It was accepted that
the explosive substances were kept in the godowns for sale~ Against the ·
appellant, offences under Section 3, 4, 5 of Explosive Act, Section 9-B of
the Act and Section 6 of the TADA Act were made out. On this written
report, FIR No. 275/90 was lodged at police station Moti Dungri, Jaipur. H
8 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2003] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A Though charge sheet was filed after investigation Government of
Rajasthan, with consent of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances
and· Pension (Department of Personnel and Training), Government of
India, New Delhi entrusted the investigation of the case to Central Bureau
of Investigation (in short the 'CBI') vide Notification dated 28.10.1991:
B: The case was registered on 9.12.1991 under sections 3, 4 and 5 of
·Explosive Act, Section 9-B of the Act and Sections 5 and 6 of the TADA
Act_ by DSPE, CBI and further investigation was taken up. Charge sheet
was filed by the local police on 23.10.1991 in the Designated Court against
four of the accused persons.

C ·According to the prosecution the investigation disclosed t~at during
the year 1989-90 at Jaipur and other places, Mohd. Ismail Bhat (A-5);
entered into a criminal conspiracy with the appellant (A-1), Khaju Lal
Golcha and Mitha Lal Golcha (A-2 and A-3) respectively and Kuldeep Jain,
;,,.. (A-4) to procure the explosives illegally and·divert the.same to unauthorized
D persons for illegal and terrorist activities. , .

In pursuance of the afores.a,id criminal conspiracy,. appella.nt had
procured from the accused Khaj~ Lal,Mitha Lal ofM/s Be~war Explosives
0

and Chemicals, Jaipµr, Ku Ideep '_Jain .'of Mis. Bharat Explosives and
Chemicals, Jaipur and others huge quantity of chemicals, gelatine, detonators
E and safety fuse wire to be used as explosives for terrorist activities and
stored the same in ~landestine manner in various godowns at this residences,
Gupta Bhavan, Plot No. A-4, Deepak Marg, Jaipur, which were recovered
by the local police on t9. l 1. I 990. The accused-appellant had booked two
consignments of explosives for supply to the accused Ismail Bhat of
F Mis. Modern Fire Works, Srinagar vide Bill No. 7403 dated 12.11.1990
and Bill No. 7404 dated 12.11.1990, through Transport Corporation of
India, Jaipur Branch and consignment note No. V-23343 and V-23344 both
dated 14.11.1990 for transportation to Srinagar. These consignment notes
contained the description of goods as H.L. chemicals. On 24.11.1990 the
said consignments were checked and seized by the police at the godown
·G of Transport Corporation oflndia, Chikamberpur (U.P.) Ghaziabad border.
It was detected that out of said consignments, 27 gunny bags contained 54 ·
cartons of gelatine i.e. explosives and not H.L. chemicals. The contents i.e.
gelatine contained in 56 cartons (54 cartons recovered from the godown
of Transport Corporation of India and 2 cartons from the residence of
H accused-appe!lant) were manufactured by LC.I. Gomia (Bihar). 56 cartons
D.P. GUPTA v. STATE OF RAJ. THROUGH C.B.I. [PASAYAT, J.] 9

of gelatine were opened and out of the same, 27 boxes were found A
containing batch number slips of 13 batches i.e. 3 cartons of batch No. 404,
I carton of batch No. 411, l carton of batch No. 413, 2 cartons of batch
No. 418, 2 cartons of batch No. 419, I carton of batch No. 423, 3 cartons
of batch No. 425, I carton of batch No. 428, one carton of batch No. 434,
4 cartons of batch No. 435, 4 cartons of batch No. 451, 3 cartons of batch B
No. 457 and one carton of batch No. 461.

The gelatine cartons of the above mentioned 13 batches were initially
sold by LC.I. Gomia to Mis. Jagat Explosives, Udaipur vide Gate Pass No.
2952 dated 29.8.1990 with connected dispatch details No. Jagatl25 dated
29.8.1990 and gate pass No. 334l>'dated 28i9.1990 with con'necteci dispatch C
details No. 6404 dated 28.9!1990. Mis. fagat Explosive, 'Udaipur"'further
sold these.gelatine boxes to Ran\eshwar Lal Porwal vide two bills No. 126
dated 29 .8.1990 with connected delivery memo 566 and dispatch detail Sr.
No. 466 and also bill No. l 44 dated 28.9.1990 with connected delivery
memo No. 585 and dispatch detail Sr. No. 474. Out of the gelatine boxes D.
so received by Rameshwar Lal Porwal, Shri Krishan Gopal Soni who was
running the business of Rameshwar Lal Porwal being duly authorized
through power of attorney dated 4. 7 .1998 executed by Ramesh Lal Porwal,
sold 180 cartons of gelatine boxes vide Bill No. 156 dated 18.9.1990 and
200 cartons of gelatine vi de Bill No. 190 dated 20. l 0.1990 to Mis .. Beawar E
Explosives and Chemicals, Jaipur, owned by Khaju Lal and Mitha Lal,
-. without mentioning the batch number in the records in violation of
mandatory terms and conditions of the licence on Form No. 21 and in
contravention of section 9-B of the Act. The accused Khaju Lal and Mitha
Lal, partners of Ms. Beawar Explosives and Chemicals had supplied
gelatine boxes to the accused-appellant without issuing any.bill. Appellant F
had earlier supplied two consignments vide bill No. 7395 dated 22. l 0.1990,
bill No. 7396 dated 22.10.1990 to the accused Mohd. Ismail Bhat of
Mis. Modem Fire Works, Srinagar, through T.C.I., Jaipur Branch giving
the description of the articles as H.L. chemicals. These consignments had

- reached the branch of T.C.I. at its godown Chikamberpur U.P. Ghaziabad G
border from where the same wer transported in truck No. JKS 6749 and
the said truck reached Lakhanpur, J&K border where on 18.11.1990, the
said consignments were checked and seized by police of J & K as it
contained explosives. The J and K police had registered case F.l.R. No.
433/1?90, P.S. Kathua in this regard. Similarly, on earlier occasions also H
10 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2003] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A accus!'.d~appellant supplied 7 consignments during the period frQm 7.8.1990
to 20.9.1990, through T.t.Land 18 consignments durin_g the period from
30.6.1989 to 20.3.1990 through Economic Transport Organisation. In the
consignment notes prepared on the basis of bills issued by Jaipur Acid
Supply Company, Jaipur, the contents of all these consignments were also
B described as H.L. chemicals/safety fuse/Kalmishora.

. The. 259 boxes all of Sun Brand, Safety Fuses and bearing box
numbers were recovered,.from. the residence of accused-appellant on
19.11.1990, which were found manufactured by Deccan Explosive, Yawat,
•.•
1 ;.· P1:1_n\!. All these 259 cases except 3 cases bearing box numbers 56625,
' C 1,52358, 5630.J were PT?Cured by Mis Jaipur Acid Supply Co~pany owned
... , .. by accused-appellant from Oe,ccaQ,pxplosives, Yawat, Pune, vide Excise
' ··' ·.
Gate pass No. 1143 dated 17.12.1~89, 245 dated 3.3.1990, 330 dated
17 .3.1990, 477 to 484 dated 22.5.1990, 554 to 557 dated 11.6.1990, 746,
751, 754 dated 8.9.1990,.826 to 835 dated 22.10.1990. Out of the said three
D boxes, box No. 56625 was supplied to Ayyappa Fire Works, Irinjalkoda,
Kerala vide Excise Gate Pass No. 823 dated 13.10.1990, another box No.
52358 was supplied to Gopu Durga Basu Parsada Rao, Vijawada vide
Excise Gate pass No. 330 dated 17.3.1990 and the third box No. 56301
was supplied to Mis. Srikant Paras Ram Puria, Bilari, vide Excise Gate pass
E No. 836 dated 27. l 0.1990 by the manufacturer i.e. Deccan Explosives,
Pune.

In addition to the 259 'Sun Brand' safety fuse boxes, other 21 boxes
bearing (Tiger Brand) mark and Box Nos., all manufactured by Commercial
Explosives, Nagpur were also recov.ered from the residence of accused-
F appellant on 19.11.1990. Out of!hese 21 boxes, 13 boxes bearing Box Nos.
11363, 11365, 11370, 11371 11372, 11373, 11374, 11375, 113_77, 11380,
11383, 11384 and 11385 were supplied by Commercial Explosives, '
Nagpur to Jaipur Acid Supply Company, Jaipur owned by the appellant,
7 boxes bearing box Nos. 31144, 31148, 31162, 31170, 31176, 31177 and
G 70177 were supplie·d by the manufacturer to Mis Jaipur Explosives and
~hemicals, Jaipur owned by Shri Gopal Modi of Jaipur Explosives, Jaipur.
The remaining one box bearing box }.:jo. 11361 was supplied by the
manufacturer to Twins Annoury of Trivandrum.

As regards 60 small bundles of safety fuse recovered from the
I;! godown of T.C.I. at Chikamberpur U.P. Ghaziabad border on 24.11.1990 t
D.P. GUPTA v. STATE OF RAJ. THROUGH C.B.I. [PASAYAT, J.] 11

which were part of the consignment booked by the appellant through A ,
-- T.C.l., Jaipur office vide consignment Note No. V-23343 and V-23344
both dated 14.11.1990, all these boxes were manufactured by Commercial
Explosives, Nagpur. However, none of the boxes bore the box number.

Accused-appellant had applied for renewal of licence from time to
time and as such transaction of supply of safety fuse wire by Gopal Modi B
to the accused-appellant was in contravention of the provisions of Explosive
Act. The accused-appellant had no licence to deal with gelatine or
detonators and as such the .transactions.Jo:this effect were illegal and were
t() aid and ~bet the ttJn:orist acfivities. Accused Mo~.d._ ls1µai1 Bhat had no
c
.licence to d~a! wjth. g;el11tirw w. peto~at0:rs .but he hl,ld induJge<1.in such
transaction pUf§Uw)Re, to tt)e ~!.tpltnal conspiracy as detailed above. He was
having license to deal in gunpowder and 3 cases of safety fuses only.
t.

As regards detonators, in all 5200 special ordinary detonators and 500
/'
electric detonators were recovered from the residence of accused-appellant, D
and 11000 ordinary special detonators were recovered from the god own
of T.C.I. Chikamberpur U.P. Ghaziabad border which was a part of the
consignment bo9ked on 14.11.1990 by the accused-appellant for
transportation to Srinagar. These ordinary special detonators were
manufactured by I.D.L. Che~icals Limited, Hyderabad and the remaining
500 electric detonators were manufactured by R.E.C.L., Dholpur. The ' E
batch number was not given on any of the packets of detonators. The 11000
ordinary special detonators recovered from T.C.I. godown Chikamberpur
U.P. Ghaziabad border were supplied by the accused Kuldip Jain, proprietor
of Mis. Bharat Explosives and Chemicals, Jaipur, to the accused-appellant
of Mis Jaipur Acid Supply company, Jaipur. F
Accused Mohd.. Ismail Bhat was engaged in abetting the terrorist
activities in J and k and used to procure explosives from the co-accused
as preparatory acts for the terrorist activities. Accused Mohd. Ismail Bhat
used to take the delivery of_ the consignments so booked by the accused- G
.,- appellant of Mis Jaipur Acid Supply Company, Jaipur, through the branch
office of T.C.I. and Economic Transport Organization.

According tb prosecution the above facts and circumstances of the
case clearly establish that the accused Mohd. Ismail Bhatt, ·accused-
appellant, Khaju Lal, Mitha Lal and Kuldip Jain have committed offences H
12 SUPREME COURT. RC:PORTS [2003] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A punishable under Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short '
tha 'IPC') read with Sections 3(1), 5 and 6 of TADA Act, Sections 3, 4, JI
5 and 6 of the Explosive Act and Section 9-B of the Act and Section 3(3)
and 6 of TADA Act, Sections 4, 5 and 6 of Explosive Act and Section
9-B of the Act. 'Accused Krishna Gopal Soni has Committed offence
punishable u/s. 9-B of the Act.
B
Accused Mohd. Ismail Bhat was absconding and was declared
absconder on 25.2.1994. By order of the Designated Court on 1.2.1996,
the accused persons facing trial. were, discharged in respect of offences
under ·sections 3(3 ), 4; '6 of TADA Act and accused Khaju Lal, Mitha Lal
;"•1

c and KuMip Jain were discharge'd in tesp'ect 6f_:.oftend~' uhder Section 5 of
the TADA Act. A.ccus-ed Krishna Gopal' Soni w~~Xiistl\arged. in respect of
offence under Section 9-B of Act. Thus, the case of co~accused Khaju Lal,
Mitha Lal and Kuldip Jain was transferred to the Court of Chief Judicial
Magistrate, Jaipur under Section 18 of the TADA Act for trial of th~
D offences relatable to Sections 6 and 9-B of the Act. Prosecution examined ;

43 witnesses to further its version. Accused appellant pleaded innocence ..
and took a stand that he had a licence for his business, he h~s not present
during search of his house and god owns, and gelatine and detonators were
not seized from his premises. Since he had applied for renewal of his
licence and there was no letter of cancellation, it is presumed that nothing
E
illegal has been committed by him and he was falsely implicated.

Learned trial Judge found the accused guilty for offences punishable
under Section 5 of the TADA Act, Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Act
and Section 9-B of the Act, after considering the evidence. He was
F sentenced to undergo five years imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.
10,000 with default stipulation in relation to Section 5 of the TADA Act,
Similar custodial sentence was imposed for the offence under the Explosive
Act and the Act and a fine of Rs. 5,000 for the offence under the Explosive
Act and Rs. 3,000 under the Act default stipulation.
G The conviction was based on following incriminating circumstances: \.

(l) recovery of geiatine and detonators from the room above the
godown;. (2) sale of articles to absconding accus~d which were seized at

H
the U.P. Ghaziabad border when being taken back to Jaipur. The articles
were kept in the godown of the two accused who were facing trial
..
D.P. GUPTA v. STATE Of RAJ. THROUGH C.B.I. [PASAYAT. J.] 13
~

l separately and, (3) the confbsional statement was recorded before the A
Superintendent of Police strictly in accordance with law, and that was
~ sufficient for finding the accused guilty with the aforesaid findings, the
conclusions of guilt and award of sentence were done.

In support of the appeal, it was submitted that conscious possession
which is sine qua non for establishing the accusations has not been proved.
B
It was_ clear from the evidence tha,t the room from where the contraband
articles were seized was easily accessible. Even the witnesses have not
consistently said that the room and the almirah from where the articles were
allegedly kept were not locked. The Explosives Controller's repo1t is not
very clear. There is also no material to show where the articles were kept c
during the date of seizure and the date of report. Some of the witnesses
have not specifically said about seizure of the articles. Section 5 refers to
possession "in present''. Even if it is held that at some point of time

-
possession was there, and same was pursuant to any conspiracy, that cannot
stick to the appellant as there was no charge under Section 120B of the D
IPC. The confessional statement was recorded without granting proper time
,., for reflection.

It is also submitted that the appellant is nearly 80 years of age and
since accusations under the TADA Act have not been conclusively
established. arid the appellant had already undergone custody for about 4
E

-- years, the sentence may be reduced to the period already undergone in case
it is held that the accusations have been established. ..
Per contra, learned counsel 'for the respondent submitted that the stand
taken about conscious possession is clearly untenable because the room F
was part of the premises owned by the accused. There was not even any
suggestion that somebody else had planted the articles. On the contrary,
the suggestion was that one Chitarmal had kept the articles for safe custody.
The confessional statement suffers from no legal infinnity and all requisite
procedural safeguards have been taken. It is not the date of discovery which G
is relevant, and earlier possession subsequent to the date of notification is :
material. Merely because there has been a detection subsequently, it does
not take away the rigor of Section 5. So far as the articles seized at the
U.P. Ghaziabad border is concerned, a camouflage was I)lade to take out
the articles as if they are harmless chemicals. Appellant himself had H
14 . SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2003] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

"
A admitted that he was previously having a licence to deal with explosives,
but the licence was subsequently not renewed. Whether the almirah was
locked or whether the room was locked or open does not make any
difference when possession has been established.
.t
,.
B We sli9ll first deal with the question relating to conscious possession.
Whether there was conscious possession has to be determined with
reference to the factual backdrop. The facts \vhich can be culled out from .
th·e evidence on record is that the accused was owner of the premises. It
has not even been remotely suggested that somebody else kept the articles,
c without his knowledge. t

It is highlighted that unless the possession was coupled with requisite
mental element, i..e. conscious possession and not mere custody without
awareness of the nature of such possession, Section 5 is not- attracted.
D n' ~
.•.
The expression 'possession' is polymorphous term which assumes ~
~
.different colours in different contexts. It may carry different meanings in
contextually different backgrounds. It is impossible, as was observed in
Superintendent & Remembrancer of Legal Affairs, West Bengal v. Anil
E Kumar Bhunia and Ors., AIR (I 980) SC 52, to work out a completely
logical and precise definition of "Possession" uniformly applicable to all
situations in the context of all statutes.

The word 'conscious means awareness about a particular fact. It is
a state of mind which is deliberate or intended.
F
""'
As noted in Gunwantlal v. The State of MP., AIR (1972) SC 1756
possession in a given case need not be physical possession but can be
constructive, having power and control over the article in case in question,
while the person whom physical possession is given holds it subject to that
G power or control.
.
The word 'possession' means the legal right t<? possession (See Health
v. Drown, ( 1972] 2 AJl Er 561 (HL ). In an i~teresting case it was observed
that where a person keeps his firearm in his mother's flat which is safer
H than his own home, he must be considered to be in possession of the same. i"
D.P. GUPTA v. STATE OF RAJ. THROUGH C.B.I. [PASAYAT. J.] 15

( • See Sullivan v. Earl of Caithness, [1976] I All ER 844 (QBD). A
" Once possession is established the person who claims that it was not
a conscious possession has to establish it, because how he came to be in
r
possession is within his special knowledge.

The factual scenario noticed by the trial Court is based on the B
evidence of PWs 2 and 5. The evidence of the Explosive Controller and
..
the analysis made by him has been established. The Explosive Controller's
report shows that the seals were intact. In fact the suggestion given by the
defence was that the goods were kept for safe custody by one Chitarmal.
It strengthens the prosecution version rather than weakening it. Samples c
(Ext. 25) draw on 19.11.1990. It was found out ·that the articles were
gelatine, electric detonator and detonator. There was an attempt to eraze
the seals of the manufacturer on the seized containers. The Explosive

.! Controller has indicated about the seals to be intact. In State of Tamil Nadu
v. Sivarasan@Raghu@Sivarasa and Ors., [1997] 1sec682 it was held D
-f
,. that the prosecution must prove that the accused was in conscious
possession unauthorisedly in a notified area of any specified anns and
ammunition. The large quantities of the explosives and other contraband
articles not only belies but militates against the very plea of the appellant
--1 relating to conscious possession. No further nexus with any terrorist or
disruptive activity is required to be proved as a statutory presumption E
- would arise that the said arm or explosive substance was meant to be used
for a terrorist or dismptive act.

Statements of Ramniwas (PW-7), Nand Singh (P\Y-5), Prabhu (PW-
{ ,. 6) has been analysed in great detail. The Explosive Controller, Dr. S. F
Kamal was examined as PW-8. As rightly noticed by the trial Court in spite
of lengthy cross examination, no crack has been noticed in their statements
to discredit their testimony.

It has been noticed by the trial Court that there was only one entrance
towards the concerned room which was above the godown at the back of G
the house. It was not an open place as contended to which any one, without
getting into the house itself, can gain entry. In Sivarasan 's case (supra) it
was observed that gelatine goods were explosive substance within the
meaning of Section 5 of the TADA Act. Since it is a complete article or
,.. 41' device capable of exploding, ordinary detonator and electric detonators are H
16 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2003] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
f
A also complete explosive substances within the purview .of Section 5 of the
TADA Act. Additionally, the ordinary detonator and electric detonator in
huge quantity were seized. The possession of these articles in such large
quantity by the accused has been proved an9 there is nothing to discard
the prosecution version that the possession was conscious. Additionally,
the confessional statement recorded by PW-4 does not suffer from any
B
infirmity. Though it is desirable that sufficient time gap should be given
to the declarant, in addition, to telling him that the statement could be used
in law against him, there is no rigid formula as to what would be an
a~equate time. It would depend upon the circumstances of each case. On
the facts of the present case, the time though was not very long, yet cannot
c be said to be too short to cast doubt on the voluntariness of the statement.
At no point of time there was any challenge made that the statement which
was produced in the Court in presence of the accused was not voluntary
and/or was the result of coercion or undue influence or threat. In fact there ·
was no denial of the fact that the statement was recorded. It has not been t
ti shown as to in what manner the accused has been preJ4diced by non-
~

grantirg of longer time. The statement recorded is very elaborate and the ;r
accused has inculpated himself with the details like the source of purchase
of the articles which were within his personal and special knowledge. There
is no reason to· discard the evidence of PW-4, and The confessional
E statement:

In S.N. Dube v. NB. Bhoir and Ors., [2000) 2 sec 254 it was held
that neither Section 15 of the TADA Act nor rule 15 contemplates
recording of confessional statement in two parts or giving time to the
person making a confession to think over and re-consider whether he still
F wants to make the statement inspite of being told that he is not bound to ~
)-

make it and that it can be used against him. The ratio of this decision has
full application to the facts of the present case. In view of these findings,
it is not necessary to go into the other question whether the past transactions
come within the umbrella of Section 5, though prima facie that appears
G to be the correct position. That being the position, the appeal is without
merit and deserves dismissal, which we direct.

R.K.S. Appeal dismissed.

!I' ..."'
;