Ludhiana Court Imposes Five-Year Sentence on Woman for Drug Possession
A local court in Ludhiana has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing a woman drug peddler to five years of rigorous imprisonment after she was found in possession of a substantial quantity of intoxicants. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000, with an additional five-month imprisonment term if the fine is not paid.
Details of the Case and Arrest
On June 24, 2019, the Sidhwan Bet police booked Sharanjit Kaur, also known as Shindi, from Khurshedpura village under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The prosecution detailed that ASI Bahadur Singh received secret information indicating that Sharanjit Kaur was habitually selling large quantities of intoxicant tablets and was expected to be in the Sidhwan Bet area that day.
Acting on this tip, ASI Bahadur Singh requested another investigating officer, ASI Major Singh, to join the operation. A police party set up a check post at the T-Point Bhaini Gujran on the Satluj canal. During the operation, they observed a woman carrying a heavy envelope, who attempted to flee upon seeing the police. Constable Karamjit Kaur, under ASI Major Singh's instructions, apprehended her.
The woman identified herself as Sharanjit Kaur, and a search led to the recovery of 100 intoxicant tablets and 400 intoxicant capsules from her polythene bag. She was subsequently arrested, and after a thorough investigation, a chargesheet was filed in court.
Court Proceedings and Defense Arguments
During the trial, the accused pleaded false implication, claiming that nothing was recovered from her and that she was picked up from her home with planted evidence. Her defense counsel argued that the prosecution failed to include independent witnesses, which they claimed undermined the case.
However, the court, presided over by Judge Harvinder Singh of the Special Court, rejected these arguments. The court noted that the absence of independent witnesses does not automatically discredit the evidence provided by official witnesses. It emphasized that the accused did not allege any prior ill-will or enmity with the police, nor did she file any complaints with higher authorities regarding her alleged false implication.
Court's Observations and Verdict
The court observed that the accused failed to prove her innocence or provide a plausible explanation for her actions. It stated, "Had the accused been innocent, she would have raised hue and cry against her false implication to the higher police officer. No plausible explanation or justification is forthcoming from the side of the accused." Additionally, the court pointed out that no private witnesses were examined by the defense, and the accused herself did not testify to support her plea.
Based on the evidence, the court found Sharanjit Kaur guilty under the NDPS Act. The sentence includes five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000, with a default clause of an additional five months in jail if the fine is unpaid. This ruling underscores the judiciary's firm stance against drug-related offenses in the region.
