In a verdict delivered over a decade after the crime, a North Goa court has sentenced a man from Dodamarg to a week in prison and a monetary penalty for possessing narcotic substances. The judgment brings closure to a case that dates back to October 2012.
The 2012 Arrest and Charges
Anish Darvajkar was apprehended by the Anti-Narcotic Cell of Goa Police on October 10, 2012. The arrest occurred at the Assagao bus stop, where he was reportedly waiting to deliver the contraband to a potential buyer. Officers caught him red-handed with 500 grams of charas, which had an estimated market value of Rs 75,000 at the time.
Court Proceedings and Arguments
The legal proceedings saw arguments from both sides. The defence pleaded for leniency, highlighting that Darvajkar was a first-time offender and was young at the time of the incident. Conversely, the prosecution strongly opposed any show of mercy, urging the court to take a strict stance.
After considering the submissions, the court noted a critical point: the prosecution did not present any criminal history showing the accused's prior involvement in similar offences. This absence of a prior record played a significant role in the final sentencing decision.
The Final Sentence and Reasoning
The court ultimately ruled that the purpose of justice would be served by imposing the minimum sentence prescribed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The sentence included seven days of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000.
The judge stated that this punishment should act as a sufficient deterrent. Importantly, the court granted Darvajkar the benefit of set-off for the period he had already spent in police custody. He was in custody from October 10 to October 16, 2012, before being released on bail, which precisely covered the seven-day imprisonment term.
Consequently, with the sentence considered already served through his prior detention, the primary remaining penalty is the payment of the Rs 10,000 fine. This ruling concludes a legal chapter that remained pending for thirteen years after the initial arrest.
