The teenagers, who were booked for allegedly consuming narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in October 2008 from a pub in Juhu, have a chance to escape prosecution, provided they agree to undergo detoxification.
Ten teenagers — two girls and eight boys — who had earlier approached the Bombay High Court in January seeking quashing of the FIR, have agreed to undergo detoxification, the lawyers of the petitioners said.
The teenagers had, in their petition, stated that they had tested positive for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances because of passive smoking. Their petition claimed that they were at a restaurant on the terrace of the said place. A party was underway in the pub downstairs and the only way to access the terrace was by crossing it.
Considering the age of the accused, a division bench of Justice Bilal Nazki and Justice A.R. Joshi asked the prosecutors if they were willing to help the teenagers if the later agreed for rehabilitation.
“They are young children, why don’t you send them for counselling? Send them for rehabilitation. They were just consumers and not vendors. A chance should be given to them so that their career is not affected. They must have learnt the lesson,” said Justice Nazki.
{{/usCountry}}“They are young children, why don’t you send them for counselling? Send them for rehabilitation. They were just consumers and not vendors. A chance should be given to them so that their career is not affected. They must have learnt the lesson,” said Justice Nazki.
{{/usCountry}}Public prosecutors Aruna Kamath-Pai and K.V. Saste said they would grant immunity from prosecution if the teens would undergo detoxification.