Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 19: In a major crackdown against drug trafficking, the Special Court under the NDPS Act at Samba, presided over by Principal Sessions Judge R.N. Watal, has convicted and sentenced two Punjab residents — Harjit Singh and Raj Kumar — to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh for trafficking commercial quantity of narcotic drugs.
The case, registered as Crime No. 07/2020 and investigated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu Zonal Unit, stemmed from credible inputs about the accused being involved in cross-border sale and purchase of narcotics. After a full trial, both were held guilty under Sections 8(c)/20(c)/60 of the NDPS Act.
During arguments on the quantum of sentence, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Charak, Special Public Prosecutor for NCB, stressed that drug trafficking is not just an individual offence but part of an organised syndicate that “destroys youth, destabilizes families, and tears apart the social fabric.” He pressed for deterrent punishment to safeguard society from the menace.
On the other hand, the defence counsels — Mr. Iqbal Hussain Bhat for Harjit Singh, and Ms. Nisha Rani, Chief Defence Legal Aid Counsel, assisted by Ms. Suman Bhagat, Deputy LADC, for Raj Kumar — pleaded for leniency citing the youth of the convicts and their family responsibilities.
Rejecting the plea for leniency, the Court observed that drug traffickers are “suppliers of poison” to society and must face the full force of law. Judge Watal noted that such offences, once proved, cannot be viewed lightly as they are “heinous crimes against society,” often linked to organized drug syndicates exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Accordingly, both convicts were sentenced to undergo 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,00,000 each, with an additional one year of RI in default of fine. The Court further directed that the period already undergone during trial shall be set off against the sentence. The duo has been lodged in District Jail, Amphalla, Jammu to serve the remainder of their term. (JNF) |
