Two drug peddlers get 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment in Panipat

The court of Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Yogesh Chaudhry on Tuesday sentenced two drug peddlers to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on each.

Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Kuldeep Dhull said the convicts — Rammehar alias Mehar Singh of Atawala village and Surender alias Pappu of Mandi village — were arrested by the CIA-2 unit of Panipat police on July 6, 2018.

According to the prosecution, ASI Dharambir of CIA-2 filed a complaint with the Madlauda police, stating that a police team had set up a naka near Atawala village road. During the checking, a Swift Dzire car with three occupants — Sanjay of Sodhapur, Rammehar, and Surender — was intercepted.

“A search conducted in the presence of DSP Israna, Vijender Singh, led to the recovery of four plastic bags filled with ganja-patti and one bag of poppy husk from the vehicle’s trunk,” DDA Dhull said. The total contraband seized included 72 kg of ganja-patti (18 kg per bag) and 4.5 kg of poppy husk.

All three accused were arrested, and a case was registered at Madlauda police station. However, one of the accused, Sanjay, died by suicide during the course of the trial. “The court dropped proceedings against him on January 23, 2025,” Dhull said.

Following a detailed examination of evidence and witness testimonies, the court found Rammehar and Surender guilty and sentenced them accordingly.