Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 21: The chief district and sessions court here has sentenced two persons, who were accused of trying to sell ganja, to two years of rigorous imprisonment each, apart from imposing a fine of Rs 10,000 on both. In case of failure to pay this fine, they will have to undergo six additional months of imprisonment, the court said.

Muhammed Rizwan (25) from Kuthar Swalatnagar near Deralakatte and Muhammed Iqbal (42), a resident of T C Road in Halekote in Ullal have been handed this sentence.

Coastal security police force inspector, Mukund Nayak, had raided seashore behind Ullal Sal Sabil mosque on June 21, 2011 along with some personnel, after gathering information that ganja was being sold there. The team recovered 1,600 grams of ganja from the possession of Rizwan, while his associate, Muhammed Iqbal, had succeeded in fleeing in his motor bike and evading arrest.

Rizwan was remanded to judicial custody. Iqbal had later succeeded in getting anticipatory bail. Mukund Nayak had filed charge sheet against both of them under Drugs Act. Judge of the chief district court, Uma M G, who took up final hearing on April 20, pronounced judgment as above.

On behalf of the prosecution, public prosecutor, Pushparaj Adyantaya had presented the case.