CHANDIGARH, Oct 21 — A Chandigarh court has sentenced a local resident to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a ₹1 lakh fine after finding him guilty in a narcotics case involving the recovery of heroin.
The special NDPS court of Additional Sessions Judge Hargurjit Kaur convicted Amit Kumar alias Dairy, a resident of Sector 52, for possessing 540 grams of heroin, a commercial quantity under the NDPS Act. The court held that such crimes endanger public health and require strict punishment.
“In default of payment of the fine, the convict will have to undergo an additional eight months of rigorous imprisonment,” the court stated in its order.
The case dates back to May 12, 2022, when police arrested Kumar and registered an FIR under Section 21 of the NDPS Act. The trial concluded on October 15, and the sentence was pronounced on October 17, 2025.
During the hearing, defence lawyer Yadvinder Singh Sandhu sought a lenient sentence, noting that Kumar is married, has a two-year-old child, and is the family’s sole earner. “The court should show compassion in view of his family situation,” he said.
Opposing the plea, Additional Public Prosecutor Ashok Rohilla said the quantity recovered was substantial and posed a serious threat to society. “Heroin destroys lives and the nation’s future. The court must ensure such crimes are dealt with firmly,” he submitted.
Delivering the verdict, Judge Kaur remarked that drug trafficking is a grave social evil. “Only strict punishment can have a deterrent effect. The sentence should serve as a lesson not just to the accused but also to others engaged in such activities,” she said.
The court also directed that the convict’s period of detention be adjusted in the total sentence and that the seized contraband be destroyed according to legal procedure. Jail authorities were instructed to be notified once the fine is paid.
