Ludhiana: A local special court has sentenced a drug peddler to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh after convicting him for possession of 100 grams of intoxicant powder.Special judge Dr Rajneesh ruled that if the convict, Daljit Singh of Kailash Nagar Road in Basti Jodhewal, fails to pay the fine, he will have to undergo an additional year of rigorous imprisonment.The case dates back to July 13, 2019, when Meharban police booked Daljit under the NDPS Act following a tip-off received by sub-inspector Davinder Singh during patrolling near T-Point, Seera, on Rahon Road.Police set up a checkpoint at T-Point, Bajra, where they spotted Daljit riding an Activa scooter. Upon seeing the police team led by SI Sukhwinder Singh, Daljit panicked, lost balance while trying to turn around, and fell, throwing a polythene packet from his trousers pocket onto the roadside.Officers apprehended Daljit and recovered the discarded packet, which contained 100 grams of intoxicant powder. Police arrested him and subsequently filed a chargesheet upon completing the investigation.During the trial, the defence argued that no independent witnesses were associated with the recovery and claimed false implication by official witnesses.Rejecting the defence’s argument, the court observed that official witnesses are presumed to act honestly in discharging their duties unless proven otherwise, noting that their testimonies were “consistent, cogent, coherent, convincing and corroborative.”The court further noted that Daljit provided no proof of police animosity or prior complaints, stating, “In the absence of any cogent or convincing evidence, his plea may not be treated as gospel truth.”
