Drug peddler gets 10-year jail term in Punjab

LUDHIANA: A local court has sentenced a drug peddler to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for conscious possession of 300 grams of intoxicating powder and 50 grams of heroin. Special court judge Shiv Mohan Garg also imposed a fine of Rs 1.30 lakh on the convict. In default of payment of fine, he will have to undergo additional rigorous imprisonment of one year and three months. On January 25, 2020, Sidhwan Bet police station booked Rajwinder Singh and Paramjit Singh, both residents of Gorsian Khan Mohd and Rachhpal Singh of Kannian Hussaini under the NDPS Act on the allegations Rachpal and Paramjit were found to be in conscious possession of contraband.
As per prosecution, ASI Sukhdev Singh and other police officials were present at Kishanpura Chowk, Sidhwan Bet when they received information that Rajwinder, Paramjit and Rachhpal were on their way to Sidhwan Bet from Gorsian Khan Mohammad village on a motorcycle to supply the heroin and intoxicating powder.
ASI Raghbir Singh and a team set up a checkpost at the Talwara Sidhwan road and intercepted the accused. They said that the accused tried to escape but failed. Pillion rider Rajwinder was holding two polythene bags which were found to contain an intoxicating powder and heroin. The accused were arrested and a chargesheet was presented against them in court.
During the case trial, the accused pleaded false implication. The defence counsel argued that no independent witness joined the police party at the time of the alleged recovery.
On absence of an independent witness in the police party before checking of the accused, the court cited a Supreme Court judgment wherein it was held that joining of an independent witness in a case pertaining to the NDPS Act was not mandatory.
“Moreover, there is no reason that police officials will implicate the accused in a false case. No such defence has been taken by the accused in this regard,” the court remarked. The court observed that recovery was proved from Rajwinder but not from Paramjit and Rachhpal. The court went on to observe that the police had failed to establish the relationship and conspiracy between Rajwinder and the other accused. The court convicted Rajwinder while acquitting Rachhpal and Paramjit.