Itanagar: A special court in Arunachal Pradesh has sentenced a 41-year-old Assam woman to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for possessing 34.72 grams of heroin.Special Judge (NDPS) Hirendra Kashyap of Yupia convicted Saheeda Khatoon, a resident of Assam’s Nagaon district, under Section 21(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh.The court ordered that failure to pay the fine would lead to an additional two months of simple imprisonment. The 11 months and 24 days Khatoon previously spent in judicial custody will be set off against the sentence.Special public prosecutor J Jini said Banderdewa police raided Khatoon’s rented house at Niya Colony on Feb 17, 2025, following a tip-off. Police recovered three soap cases containing 34.72 grams of heroin concealed in a backpack.The raid, conducted under the supervision of Naharlagun SDPO Rishi Longdo in the presence of independent witnesses, was videographed. Forensic tests confirmed that the seized substance was diacetylmorphine, or heroin.During the sentencing hearing, the defence pleaded for leniency, citing that Khatoon is a mother of minor children. The prosecution opposed the plea, saying she is a habitual offender facing another NDPS case involving commercial quantities and is wanted in multiple narcotics cases in Assam.Rejecting the plea, the court noted that Khatoon allegedly used a local hotel in Banderdewa to supply drugs to local youth for financial gain.Khatoon was informed of her right to appeal against the judgment before Gauhati High Court.
