4 get 20-yr jail for smuggling heroin

The court of Additional Sessions Judge Harbans Singh Lekhi sentenced four persons Gurnam Singh of Tarn Taran, Daljit Singh, alias Jeeta, of Ferozepur, Sarwan Singh of Tarn Taran and Jaswant Kumar of Amritsar to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each in a 4 kg heroin smuggling case. The court also imposed a fine of ?2 lakh on each convict.

According to the prosecution, the case dates back to July 11, 2017, when the police from Meharban police station, Ludhiana, registered an FIR. Around 7 pm in the evening, the police had set up a naka when they spotted a car with Haryana registration number approaching them. On seeing the police, the driver attempted to reverse the car, arousing suspicion. The police quickly surrounded the vehicle and on searching it seized four kg heroin.

During interrogation, it was revealed that they were part of an inter-state heroin smuggling ring and were transporting the consignment to other states through Haryana. The police registered a case against the accused under the NDPS Act and later filed a chargesheet in court.

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence and witnesses. After hearing the arguments from both sides and examining all evidence thoroughly, the court found the accused guilty. It noted that drug trafficking posed a grave threat to society and emphasised the need for strict punishment to deter such crimes.