Pulwama Man Sentenced to 10 Years Rigorous Imprisonment and Fined One Lac for Drug Possession

PTK News Desk

The Pulwama District Court has sentenced Abdul Hamid Bhat to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of one lac for possession of over a quintal of Bhang leaves and 1.2 kilograms of Charas. The verdict was delivered by Principal District & Sessions Judge Naseer Ahmad Dar.

Bhat was found guilty under Section 20(C) of the NDPS Act, pertaining to contravention related to cannabis plant and cannabis. The quantity of drugs in his possession fell under the category of commercial quantity as per the NDPS Act.

Despite pleas from Bhat’s counsel, citing his satisfactory conduct during the trial, family circumstances, and being a first-time offender, the court deemed it appropriate to impose the minimum sentence prescribed for the offence. Bhat, being the sole breadwinner for his family of six, was sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of one lac.

The sentence was pronounced to Bhat via video conferencing from the Special Jail in Pulwama, where he is presently incarcerated. The court ordered him to serve the rest of his sentence in the same facility, with the period of detention already undergone during investigation and trial to be set off.

This verdict sends a strong message against drug trafficking, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to curbing the menace of narcotics in society.