Principle: Ignorance of the law is not an excuse in the country.
Factual Situation: Z, a foreign national came to New Delhi as a transit passenger at the Indira Gandhi International Air Port. His flight landed in the morning on 9^th June 2008 at 10:15 am and he was supposed to catch the next flight at 1:00 pm the same day to another country. He was carrying 1 Kilogram of Hashish. The Government of India notified on 9^th June 2008 that "any person having more than 500 Millie Grams of any Narcotic and Psychotropic substances, including Hashish in his possession would be punishable ... " The notification was published in the Official Gazette that was published on the morning of 9^th June 2008. The Customs authorities arrested Z.

A. Z is not liable as he was only a transit passenger who had no opportunity to mingle with any Indian

B. Z is liable as mere possession of a narcotic substance beyond a certain limit is an offence in the country

C. Z is not liable as he was not bound by a new regulation which was notified when he was on the flight

D. Can be arrested only when the Customs Officials get a clearance from the Embassy of his own country

Answer: Option B