Fatehabad Court Delivers 10-Year Sentence in Major Drug Trafficking Case
A district court in Fatehabad has handed down a significant verdict in a high-profile drug smuggling case, sentencing the convicted individual to a decade of rigorous imprisonment. The court also imposed a substantial financial penalty of Rs 1 lakh on the accused, marking a stern stance against narcotics offenses in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
According to the prosecution's case, the incident dates back to May 16, 2021, when the Tohana city police apprehended the accused, identified as Satgur Singh. During the arrest, law enforcement officials made a substantial recovery, seizing 200 strips of banned tablets from his possession. Each strip was reported to contain 2,000 tablets, bringing the total haul to an alarming 400,000 illicit pills.
Following his detention, Satgur Singh was subjected to interrogation, during which he disclosed critical information about the source of the contraband. The accused revealed that he had procured the banned tablets from a co-accused individual named Viru, thereby expanding the scope of the investigation.
Legal Proceedings and Trial Timeline
In response to the seizure and subsequent revelations, the police promptly registered a formal case under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against both Satgur Singh and Viru. While Viru managed to evade immediate capture by absconding after the incident, he later secured bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, adding a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings.
District Attorney Devendra Mittal provided insights into the protracted nature of the trial, which spanned nearly five years. Throughout this extensive legal process, the court meticulously examined a total of 18 witnesses, ensuring a thorough evaluation of all evidence and testimonies presented.
Court Verdict and Sentencing
The trial reached its conclusion with Additional District and Sessions Judge Hemant Yadav presiding over the final verdict. After careful consideration of all aspects of the case, the court found Satgur Singh guilty of the charges leveled against him. The judgment culminated in a sentence of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, coupled with the imposition of a Rs 1 lakh fine, underscoring the severity of the offense.
This ruling highlights the judiciary's unwavering commitment to combating drug-related crimes and serves as a deterrent to those involved in such illicit activities. The case also underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling narcotics networks, particularly when co-accused individuals manage to secure bail or evade initial capture.
