10-year jail for drug peddling

Mandi, December 27

District and Sessions Judge RK Sharma has awarded 10-year rigorous imprisonment to Mandi resident, who was held by the police for charas smuggling.

District Attorney Kulbhushan Gautam said accused Balbir Singh of Drun village in Mandi district had been held guilty in 1.18 kg charas smuggling case by the district court here today. He was apprehended by the police in February 2016 when he was travelling by a Haryana Roadway bus.

The police stopped the vehicle for checking at Nagchala in Mandi on the Chandigarh-Manali highway and during checking, the police recovered the illicit contraband.

“After hearing the arguments of both parties and recording the statement of eight witnesses, the judge awarded 10-year rigorous imprisonment to Balbir Singh and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. In case of nonpayment of fine, accused will further undergo additional six months imprisonment,” he added. — TNS