 Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 6: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has modified the sentence of a Punjab resident convicted in a narcotics case, reducing his 20-year rigorous imprisonment to the period already undergone, paving way for his release after more than 13 years behind bars.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Sanjay Parihar delivered the judgment in an appeal filed by Jarnail Masih, 45, of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, who was convicted by Sessions Judge Kathua in May 2011 for possession of a commercial quantity of contraband under the NDPS Act.
On April 1, 2006, during checking at Lakhanpur Toll Post, Excise officials recovered 14 jute bags containing 385 kilograms of poppy straw concealed beneath timber veneer bundles in the truck driven by Masih. He was sentenced to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 2 lakh.
The High Court, while upholding the conviction, noted that the appellant had already served more than 13 years in jail. Taking into account the mitigating circumstances, the Bench held that “ends of justice would be served” by reducing the sentence to the period undergone. (JNF) |
