NDPS court in Samba convicts two Punjab residents for trafficking narcotics

Samba, Sep 19: The Special Court under the NDPS Act at Samba, presided over by Principal Sessions Judge R.N. Watal, has convicted two Punjab residents, Harjit Singh and Raj Kumar, in connection with the trafficking of commercial quantity of narcotic drugs in a case investigated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu Zonal Unit.

The case, registered as Crime No. 07/2020, was based on credible information about the involvement of the convicts in the sale and purchase of narcotics, which form part of a wider drug trafficking network operating across state borders. After a full trial, both were found guilty of offences punishable under Sections 8(c)/20(c)/60 of the NDPS Act.

During arguments on the quantum of sentence,  Bhupinder Singh  Charak, Special Public Prosecutor for NCB Samba , highlighted that drug trafficking is not merely an individual crime but an organised and systematic activity that destroys youth, destabilizes families and tears apart the social fabric. He submitted that such crimes must attract deterrent punishment to protect society.

The defence counsels, Iqbal Hussain Bhat for Harjit Singh and Nisha Rani, Chief Defence Legal Aid Counsel, assisted by  Suman Bhagat, Deputy LADC, for Raj Kumar, pleaded for leniency on humanitarian grounds, citing their youth and family responsibilities.

After considering rival submissions, the Court observed that drug trafficking is a heinous crime against society, and that offenders engaged in the narcotics trade act as “suppliers of poison” to the younger generation. The Court further noted that such crimes are often linked to organized drug syndicates, which deliberately exploit vulnerable individuals to perpetuate their illegal business.

Accordingly, both convicts were sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment each and a fine of Rs 1,00,000 each, with an additional one year rigorous imprisonment in default of fine. The Court also directed that the period of custody already undergone during the trial shall be set off against the awarded sentence. The convicts have been lodged in District Jail, Amphalla, Jammu to serve the remainder of their term.

“Those indulging in organized drug trafficking shall face no sympathy of the Court. The menace of narcotics must be dealt with an iron hand to safeguard the youth and protect the society at large.”

The judgment reaffirms the judiciary’s firm stand that drug trafficking is a grave offence against the community and calls for strong measures to dismantle the networks that fuel the drug menace.