A special court in Ludhiana has delivered a stern verdict in a significant narcotics case, sentencing a convicted drug trafficker to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The ruling underscores the judiciary's firm stance against drug peddling in the region.
The Conviction and Sentencing Details
Judge Preeti Sukhija of the Special Court pronounced the decade-long sentence for Rajinder Singh, a resident of Aliwal village. Singh was convicted for possessing 1,105 intoxicant tablets and seven grams of heroin. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a substantial fine of Rs 1 lakh. The court order specified that failure to pay this penalty would result in an additional two years and seven days of simple imprisonment.
The Police Sting Operation
The case originated from a targeted police operation on July 22, 2023. Acting on a specific tip from a confidential informant, a team from the Sadar Raikot police station, led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurmit Singh, set up a checkpoint near Binjal village.
The informant had identified Rajinder Singh as a habitual seller of heroin—commonly called chitta—and intoxicant tablets. Police were alerted that he was traveling from Jagraon on a motor scooter. Officers successfully intercepted Singh at the crossroads. A search led to the discovery of the narcotics stash, which was concealed in a black envelope under the scooter's seat.
Court Rejects Defence's 'Independent Witness' Argument
During the trial, the defence counsel pushed for acquittal, arguing that the prosecution's case was unreliable due to the absence of independent public witnesses during the search and seizure. They contended that relying solely on police testimony was insufficient.
Judge Sukhija, however, firmly dismissed this argument. The court upheld the validity of the police officers' testimony, equating it to that of private citizens. "Official witnesses are always assumed to act honestly while discharging their duties, unless the contrary is proved," the court observed. It further stated that their testimony was as credible as that of any private individual.
The court record also noted that prosecution evidence showed the police had attempted to involve public members during the search, but none were available. The judge ruled that the "mere absence" of independent witnesses did not weaken the "consistent, cogent, and convincing" evidence presented by the police. After a thorough investigation and the submission of a formal chargesheet, the court found the prosecution had successfully proven Singh's guilt under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
This conviction marks a significant success for the Ludhiana police's anti-narcotics efforts and sends a strong deterrent message to drug peddlers operating in Punjab.
