Ludhiana: A local fast track court in Ludhiana has sentenced two drug peddlers to twelve years of rigorous imprisonment each for the conscious possession of 700 grams of heroin.The court of additional sessions judge Sandeep Singh Bajwa also imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on each convict—Bahadur Singh and Dilbar Singh, both residents of Machhiwara. In default of paying the fine, both men will have to undergo an additional year of rigorous imprisonment.The case dates back to January 8, 2020, when the STF Phase 4 police station in Mohali booked the duo under the NDPS Act following a tip-off at Lakho Gaddowal Chowk in Kohara.An investigating team led by ASI Jagtar Singh intercepted the accused riding a white Honda Activa scooter based on information that they were supplying heroin from Machhiwara toward Kohara. Upon searching the vehicle under the supervision of DSP Pawanjit, officers recovered 520 grams of heroin, an electronic weighing scale, and 225 empty pouches beneath the seat. A personal search of pillion rider Dilbar Singh yielded an additional 180 grams of heroin from his jacket pocket.Court rejects false implication pleaDuring the trial, the accused pleaded innocence, claiming police had fabricated the story and planted the contraband due to false implication.Rejecting the defence argument, the court observed that the accused failed to produce evidence of personal enmity with the police. Furthermore, neither the accused nor their families had lodged any complaints with senior officers regarding the alleged fabrication, leaving the defence plea unsupported by the record.
