Mohali: A Mohali court has acquitted three accused in a case involving the alleged recovery of 1 kg 45 grams of heroin, observing that the prosecution failed to prove the charge of drug smuggling beyond reasonable doubt.Additional district and sessions judge acquitted Sachin Kumar, a Haryana resident; Jasvir Kaur Simti of Sirsa; and Raghbir Singh alias Sweta of Kharar, giving them the benefit of the doubt.The case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after the police claimed to have seized 1kg of heroin from Sachin and Jasvir Kaur and 45 grams from Raghbir Singh.During the trial, defence counsel CS Bawa questioned the prosecution’s version, pointing to discrepancies in the alleged dates and places of arrest. The defence argued that Sachin and Jasvir had actually been arrested in their house in Sirsa on June 2-3, 2020, while Raghbir was arrested in Kharar on June 4. This, the defence submitted, contradicted the police claim that Sachin and Jasvir were arrested in the Industrial Area, Mohali, with 1kg of heroin.The court found the prosecution story doubtful and held that the police had failed to establish the charges against the accused, resulting in their acquittal.Police versionAccording to the prosecution, on June 4, 2020, CIA staff officer ASI Gurpartap Singh was present near the Verka milk plant in Phase 6, Mohali, along with a police party when he received secret information that Sachin and Jasvir Kaur were allegedly bringing heroin from a Nigerian national in Delhi and were to deliver it to a customer in the Industrial Area, Mohali.The information was conveyed to SI Jaspal Singh of Phase 1 police station, who reached Verka chowk with a police party. After recording the information, an NDPS Act case was registered and the police team proceeded to Industrial Area Phase 7, where Sachin and Jasvir were allegedly apprehended.The police claimed that DSP Gursher Singh reached the spot and identified the accused. Their bags were searched in his presence, resulting in the alleged recovery of 500 grams of heroin from each accused, totalling 1 kg.During interrogation, the police claimed, Sachin and Jasvir named Raghbir Singh. According to the prosecution, Raghbir admitted purchasing heroin from the duo and told investigators that he had consumed 5 grams, while 45 grams of heroin was allegedly seized from his possession.The court, however, found the prosecution’s evidence insufficient to sustain the charges and acquitted all three accused by extending to them the benefit of the doubt.
