Muktsar man gets 12-yr RI for smuggling poppy husk

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Balwant Singh at Sangria in Hanumangarh has sentenced a person to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on him for smuggling poppy husk. If the fine is not paid, the accused would have to serve additional punishment.

The convict had been facing trial for smuggling 120 kg of poppy husk in a car around five years ago.

The then police station in-charge Vishnu Dutt Bishnoi had said that he and his team intercepted a car on May 17, 2019. During search, they found eight bags kept on the rear seat of the car, and 120 kg of poppy husk was recovered.

The 42-year-old Sarmi Singh of Lohara in Muktsar district, who was driving the car, did not have the permit for poppy husk. A case was registered against him under Sections 8 and 15 of the NDPS Act, and he was arrested.

The police said during investigation, it was revealed that the even the number plate of the car was fake. After completing the investigation, the police presented a challan against him in the court.

After hearing arguments of both parties and studying the available evidence, the Judge sentenced Sarmi Singh to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh under the NDPS Act.

For the fake number plate, the accused faced additional charges under Sections 420 and 468 of the IPC and has been awarded five years of RI and a fine of Rs 20,000 each. Besides, the convict will also face two years of RI and a fine of Rs 10,000 under Section 471 of the IPC.