Special NDPS Judge Rajesh Kumar Singh held 43-year-old Uttar Pradesh native Irshad Ahmad guilty under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act for illegally possessing 3.4 kg charas here last year.
"Taking into consideration the age of Ahmad and absence of allegations of previous conviction, I deem it appropriate to impose minimum sentence under section 20 NDPS Act.
"The convict is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and fine of Rs one lakh for the offence under the NDPS Act," the court said.
It said Ahmad was found in possession of 3.4 kg of charas, with its quantity above one kg being a commercial quantity, indicating involvement of the person in drug trade under the provisions of the Act.
The minimum sentence prescribed under the Act for having commercial quantity of banned substances is rigorous jail term for 10 years and a fine of Rs one lakh which may extend to Rs two lakh.
According to the prosecution, the Narcotics Cell sleuths had got a tip off that the accused would be at Nigam Bodh Ghat here in North Delhi with the contraband on a particular day in July.
When arrested, Ahmad was found in possession of 3.4 kg charas and was waiting for someone. The accused had claimed he was falsely implicated in the case and was arrested when he had come to Delhi to meet someone.
