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| Court awards rigorous imprisonment to drug smugglers | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Aug 14: Principal Sessions Judge Udhampur AK Koul Wednesday awarded rigorous imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of Rs one lakh to one Sajjad Ahmad Bhat for commission of offence under section 8/20 (C) NDPS Act and sentenced another accused Mohammad Amin Reshi to rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of Rs 50000 for commission of offences under section 8/20 (B) and to a further rigorous imprisonment of 10 years for commission of offence under section 29 NDPS Act and a further fine of Rs 50000.
Police had recovered more than 41 kgs of Charas (cannabis) from the possession of the duo. According to police a party headed by Saif Ali Shah ASI intercepted a black Tata Safari (DL 4C AL-5786) which was on its way from Srinagar to Jammu, at Jakhani Udhampur. The vehicle was being driven by Sajjad Ahmad Bhat. On a brief interrogation he identified himself as an Excise Sub Inspector and to justify his identification as such he produced an identity card purportedly issued by Excise Department. The police party doubted the bonafides of Sajjad Ahmad Bhat and so his vehicle was searched. A big box like speaker was found in the vehicle which had two speakers in the front and two on the top. On removal of the front speakers, a huge consignment of charas was found wrapped in glossy paper inside the box. On the basis of which a case was registered under section 8/20 of NDPS Act and investigation commenced. Investigating officer recovered 24 packets from the box found in the rear side of the vehicle driven by accused No 1. The weight of the charas was found to be 41 kgs 500 gms. Further investigation revealed that Amin Reshi was in the trade of smuggling charas since 5/6 years. After completion of the investigation challan was presented.
The Court after hearing Navneet Gupta Public Prosecutor for the state and Advocates D Shwal, Ali Mohammad Padroo and Gulshan Singh Shan for the accused observed that it needs to be put on record that the crime committed by the accused is serious. "A balance has to be struck between aggravating and mitigating circumstances before awarding the punishment to an accused. So far as, NDPS Act, it is a very stringent legislation and the purpose behind the Act is to thwart the drug trafficking activity and ordered that Sajjad Ahmed Bhat, is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of Rs one lakh. Amin Reshi, is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of Rs.50000 for commission of offences under section 8/20 (B) and to a further rigorous imprisonment of 10 years for commission of offence under section 29 NDPS Act and a fine of Rs 50000," the court ordered. The Court further clarified that the sentences shall run concurrently. (JNF) |
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