Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
A youth convicted in a heroin recovery case in Chandigarh has been granted relief by a Special Court under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Instead of sending him back to jail, the court treated the period he had already spent in custody as his full sentence.
The court took into account his conduct over the past six years, including his regular appearances during the trial, absence of involvement in any other criminal activity and efforts to reform himself.
Special Judge Raman Goklaney observed that a person cannot be treated as a habitual offender merely on the basis of a single mistake. The court said the criminal justice system is not meant only to punish an individual but also to provide an opportunity for reform and reintegration into society.
54 Grams of Heroin Recovered in 2020
The case dates back to 2020, when Chandigarh Police arrested Abinash, a resident of Sector 23, with 54 grams of heroin. A case was registered against him under the provisions of the NDPS Act.
During the trial, the court found him guilty. However, while determining the sentence, the court also examined his conduct during the proceedings and his record over the last six years.
According to the court, Abinash had appeared regularly throughout the trial and did not attempt to evade the proceedings. He was also not reported absent on any hearing date.
Court Considers Conduct During Long Trial
The court noted that despite the case continuing for several years, there was no material before it indicating that Abinash had become involved in any other criminal activity.
Considering these circumstances, the court decided that the period already spent by him in custody would be treated as the sentence imposed in the case, allowing him to avoid returning to prison.
