Daijiworld Media Network - Bidar (SP)

Bidar, Jul 30: In an epoch-making judgement, district chief and sessions court here, through a judgement delivered on Friday July 29, convicted and sentenced two accused found carrying ganja in an auto rickshaw, to 20 years of jail term.

Muhammed Raisuddin (24) from Pansara Taleem here, and Muhammed Nassir Khan from Maniyar Taleem were given the above sentence by judge of the court, Hanchate Sanjeev Kumar. He held the accused guilty under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. While a fine of Rs 50 lac has been levied on Raisudin, Nassir has been ordered to pay fine of Rs 2 lac.

In case of failure to pay fine, both will have to undergo five more years inside the jail.

In the recent past, bail granted to Raisuddin had been cancelled after he posed threat to a police constable in the court premises. Angered by this development, he had hurled footwear at judge, Hanchate Sanjeev Kumar. That case has been registered separately. Raisuddin is currently lodged in Kalaburagi jail, and for the first time, video conferencing facility was utilized in the district.

The case relates to recovery of 21 kg ganja being transported by an auto rickshaw that was raided by the police near Malagonda Colony in the town on September 10, 2013. Three persons, two accused named above, and Muhammed Sami from Pansara Taleem, were arrested, and a case was registered in Gandhiganj police station.

As Sami failed to attend hearings, the case against him is being dealt with separately. Although both the accused requested the court to show lenience as they have small children, the court was not inclined extend any concession. Special public prosecutor, Ramachandra Lamani, had appeared in the case on behalf of the prosecution.