‘Drug’ turns out to be amchur: Jabalpur HC grants Rs 10 lakh compensation to jailed engineer

Relying on the machine alert, authorities took Ajay Singh into custody and booked him under serious narcotics-related charges.

Forensic test revealed it was amchur powder

Ajay Singh remained in jail for 57 days before a forensic examination confirmed that the substance was ordinary amchur powder — dried mango powder commonly used in cooking.

Following the report, he was released from custody.

16-year legal battle ends in relief

After his release, Ajay Singh approached the court, arguing that he had been wrongly imprisoned because of a flawed investigation and excessive reliance on machine-generated alerts.

After a legal battle spanning 16 years, the High Court ruled in his favour.

The court directed the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the concerned department to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation.

Court questions blind reliance on machines

While delivering the verdict, the High Court raised concerns over investigative procedures and the unchecked dependence on technical systems.

It further observed that flaws in systems or investigative processes should not result in innocent individuals losing their liberty.