Farmer, son arrested for growing ganja saplings in Tirupattur

A 54-year-old farmer and his son were arrested by Natrampalli police on Wednesday for growing more than 10 ganja plants in the backyard of their house at Vellakaal Natham village near Jolarpet town in Tirupattur.

Police said that based on a tip-off to Tirupattur SP V. Shymala Devi, a search was conducted and the police found ganja plants that had grown to a height of two to three feet in the backyard of the house.

Police seized the fresh plants and arrested the farmer, R. Sankaran, 54, and his son S. Anandan, 25.

During the inquiry, Mr. Sankaran told the police that he had been growing the plants in his house for several months. He said that he had been using the ganja leaves in his food as they have medicinal qualities. 

The Natrampalli police registered a case and arrested the duo, who were remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a local court in Tirupattur.

Initial inquiries revealed that he had been distributing the fresh ganja leaves to some of his friends free of cost. Sankaran told police that he was not aware that growing ganja in the backyard of the house was an offence, adding that he had never sold ganja to anyone. A probe is under way.