Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 26: Principal Sessions Judge Udhampur Yash Paul Bourney today awarded 14 years rigorous imprisonment and imposed fine of Rs 2 lakh on Lakhvinder Singh and Gurjeet Singh in narcotics smuggling case.
After hearing both the sides, the court observed, “both the convicts have been found guilty of offence punishable under Section 8 read with 15 (C) of the NDPS Act. They were caught red-handed while transporting poppy straw in commercial quantity in a specially added fuel tank on the left side of the truck which was being plied by the convict Lakhvinder Singh and the other convict was on board as his accomplice”.
“Taking into account the culpability of the convicts and the mode and manner in which the offence has been committed as well as the aggravating and mitigating factors and highlighted by the counsels on both sides, admittedly, both the convicts are first offenders and have no previous criminal history”, the court said.
“There is no denial of the fact that they have the responsibilities towards their families—old aged parents and children etc. who have been affected adversely on account of their arrest and detention. However, it cannot be lost sight of that the offence of which they have been held guilty is heinous and encompasses the society as a whole under its sweep particularly the youngsters and other vulnerable sections of the society. It is also a matter of concern that the graph of such crimes is rising constantly. Therefore, any undue leniency to the convicts may prove to be counterproductive”, the court said.
Accordingly, court awarded rigorous imprisonment of 14 years to them.
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