Early Times Report
JAMMU, June 2: Two individuals, Mohammad Shafi Lone and Bilal Ahmad Dar, have been sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh each for heroin smuggling. The Additional Sessions Judge Kupwara, Khem Raj Sharma, delivered the verdict.
According to the prosecution, a case was registered against Lone and Dar under sections 8/21 of the NDPS Act based on credible information received by the Crime Branch Kashmir. The information stated that the two individuals were carrying narcotics, specifically heroin, in a Chevrolet vehicle with the intention of selling it to the youth in the Drugmulla and Kupwara areas. During a personal search, conducted in the presence of a magistrate, two polythene bags containing the contraband substance were recovered from the possession of Lone and Dar. The weight of the heroin recovered from Lone was found to be 435 grams, while the weight of the heroin recovered from Dar was found to be 372 grams.
After a thorough investigation, the challan was presented and the case proceeded to trial. The Additional Sessions Judge, while acknowledging the increasing menace of drugs and its detrimental impact on the younger generation and society, emphasized the need to curb the easy availability and supply of drugs. Taking into account both aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the court sentenced both convicts to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh. In case of default in payment of the fine, an additional sentence of 2½ years rigorous imprisonment will be served by the convicts. —JNF |
