Nine years after arrest, two opium smugglers jailed for 10 years

Hisar: The court of additional district and sessions judge Hemant Yadav in Fatehabad convicted two opium smugglers and sentenced them to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on each of the convicts. Those convicted were identified as Dharampal and Sonu, residents of Kaliran village in Hisar district. Two other accused in the case — Rambir, a resident of Kirori village in Hisar, and Nanharam from Rajasthan — failed to appear in court after being released on bail. The court declared both of them proclaimed offenders. District attorney Devendra Mittal said that on March 23, 2017, a special staff police team was patrolling from Ratia towards Buan village when it noticed 3 youths standing with two motorcycles near a tubewell, close to a liquor vend, on the outskirts of Basti village. On spotting the police, the suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended after a brief chase.During interrogation, the accused identified themselves as Dharampal and Sonu — both residents of Kalirawan village under Agroha police station in Hisar district — and Rambir of Kirori village. A search led to the recovery of 2 kg 600 g of opium from their possession. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against them under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.According to the prosecution, accused Rambir disclosed during interrogation that he, along with Dharampal and Sonu, conspired to earn quick money through opium trafficking. The trio pooled money, and on March 15, 2017, purchased 2.6 kg of opium from a farm settlement located about 25 km from Jodhpur in Rajasthan.The accused were transporting the consignment for sale when they were intercepted by the police near Basti village. Rambir further revealed that the opium was procured from Nanharam, a resident of the Jodhpur region, who was later arrested in connection with the case. MSID:: 126507098 413 |