Court awards 10 years RI to Narco Sumuggler
JKUT (Jammu), September-29-2021-( JNF):- Principal Sessions Judge Ramban Haq Nawaz Zargar today awarded 10 years rigorous imprisonment and fine Rs one lac fine to Abid Ahmed Sofi a Narco Smuggler.
Brief facts of the prosecution case are that on 20.10.2017, Ishfaq Ahmad head constable along with other police officials were deputed for Naka duty at Railway crossing T-Chowk Banihal and at 8.30 A.M, one car of Nissan make bearing No. PB09R/2705 came from Srinagar towards Jammu. The car was intercepted and stopped for checking. On enquiry from the driver, who disclosed his name as Abid Ahmed Sofi S/O Gul Muhammad Sofi R/O Khannabal, Tehsil and District Anantnag. During checking of the vehicle three bags of poppy straw like substance about 50/60 Kg was found in dickey of the vehicle and the driver could not give the satisfactory explanation regarding the presence of poppy straw in the dickey of the car. The driver was taking the poppy straw to Punjab. At this In-charge naka has written a docket and sent it to Police Station, Banihal for registration of FIR. After completion of investigation challan was presented.
Principal Sessions Judge Ramban Haq Nawaz Zargar after hearing both the sides observed the consequences of narcotics on the health of the general public are disastrous and can cause even death. The danger of narcotics has engulfed not only the metropolitan cities but this far flung and hilly areas of our Country also stands badly influenced with this vice. The unwarranted growth of drug menace, if not checked by its stakeholders including the general public, it will be going to spread its tentacles to every nook and corner of our society and it is not far when majority of our population will be under direct threat from this vice particularly the younger generation who has a long way to go. If the menace of drug abuse, its transportation, smuggling and use, is not checked at this point, the effect will be disastrous. These drug mafia had not spared even the educational institutions, the colleges, the schools, tuition centers, being vulnerable points, became the easy targets. The continuous use of drugs makes any person’s life a living hell not for himself but for all his near and dear ones. The addict will loose his innocence, integrity and an intellect and ultimately become an easy prey in the hands of this drug mafia and antisocial, antinational elements and can be used as a tool for doing any illegal activity. Use of drugs will definitely cause incalculable harm to the body and mind of the user. This enhances the harmfulness of the offence. It is an aggravating factor that has to be borne in mind. Considerations of undue sympathy in such cases will not only lead to miscarriage of justice but will also undermine the confidence of the public in the efficacy of the criminal justice system. It should not leave an impression that the trial was a mockery of justice. The perpetrators of this menace have to be punished by the courts appropriately. Taking into consideration the quantity of poppy straw which is a commercial one, it has to be assumed and presumed that not only the convict is involved in the sale and supply of the contraband but he had also an intent to earn money out of it.
With these observations, Principal Sessions Judge Ramban Haq Nawaz Zargar ordered that the convict namely Abid Ahmed Sofi S/O Gul Muhammad Sofi R/O Khannabal Tehsil and District Anantnag is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten ( 10 ) years and to pay a fine of ₹ 1 lakh for an offence under section 8 read with section 15 (C) of the NDPS Act. In default of the payment of fine, the convict shall undergo simple imprisonment for a further period of one year. JNF
