A court in Mohali has delivered a stern verdict in a significant drug smuggling case, convicting an Amritsar resident and sentencing him to over a decade in prison. The ruling highlights the ongoing judicial crackdown on narcotics trafficking in the region.
The Court's Verdict and Sentence
Additional District and Sessions Judge Prashant Verma found Ranjit Singh, a resident of Amritsar, guilty of smuggling a large consignment of narcotic drugs. The court handed down a sentence of 12 years of rigorous imprisonment. In addition to the jail term, a financial penalty of Rs 1.5 lakh was imposed. The court order specified that failure to pay this fine would result in an additional one year of imprisonment for the convict.
Meanwhile, the court has declared two other accused in the case, Rahul Kumar and Sunny Kumar, also from Amritsar, as absconders. This declaration came due to their persistent failure to appear before the court throughout the trial proceedings. The judge has directed authorities to continue efforts to apprehend them.
The 2021 Interception and Drug Haul
The case originates from an incident on June 9, 2021. Acting on vigilance duties, the Lalru police had established a checkpoint on the busy Ambala-Chandigarh Road near Jharmadi. During routine checks, the police signaled three youths approaching from the Ambala direction to stop.
Instead of complying, the trio attempted to turn their vehicle around and flee upon noticing the police presence. However, officers acted swiftly and managed to apprehend all three individuals. They were identified as Ranjit Singh, Sunny Kumar, and Rahul Kumar.
A thorough search was then conducted in the presence of senior police officials. The recovery was substantial:
- From Rahul Kumar's bag, police recovered 2,560 narcotic capsules.
- Ranjit Singh's bag yielded 1,912 narcotic capsules of one brand and 800 capsules of another brand.
- Sunny Kumar was found carrying a wax envelope containing 3,000 narcotic tablets and 2,400 tablets of another brand.
Legal Proceedings and Conclusion
Following the massive recovery, a formal case was registered under the relevant stringent sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Lalru police station. All three accused were arrested at the time.
After the completion of the trial, the court examined the evidence and found Ranjit Singh guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The conviction and the substantial sentence underscore the serious view the judiciary takes of drug trafficking offenses under the NDPS Act. The court's order to persist with the pursuit of the absconding co-accused ensures that the legal process remains active until all individuals involved are brought to justice.
This case serves as a strong reminder of the legal consequences facing those involved in the illicit drug trade, with law enforcement and the judiciary working in tandem to combat the menace.
