Mayabunder, Sept 26: It has been informed that First time in the history of North & Middle Andaman District, the prosecution has succeeded to secure conviction of a culprit for illegal possession of large quantity contravened items of cannabis.
On 25/10/2019 at 12:00 noon, SI Somen Kumar Halder, the in-charge of SHO, Police Station, Mayabunder got a information from reliable sources that one Ship namely M.V Swaraj Dweep came at Mayabunder jetty on 18/10/2019 with illicit ganja (cannabis) and one shopkeeper of Diglipur Bazar namely Ashok Biswas has brought the same illicit ganja from Kolkata.
On the basis of secret information, the police raiding team led by SI Somen Kumar Halder has recovered the 15.5 kilograms in two plastic sack with Marka TOTAN from the possession of one culprit namely Ashok Biswas and the same was seized by SI Somen Kumar Halder in the presence of independent witnesses and also in the presence of SDPO, Diglipur being a Gazette Officer.
The accused was arrested on 25/10/2019 after following all procedures as per law and thereafter produced the accused before the Hon’ble Court. On the basis of report of SI Somen Kumar Halder as informant, a FIR No. 104 of 2019, dated 25/10/2019 was lodged in Police Station, Mayabunder and investigation was entrusted to SI Anbeshwaran in accordance with law.
To reach the goal, the prosecution has examined as many as nine witnesses. The Learned Additional Public Prosecutor namely Shri. UttamKirtania argued that prosecution witnesses proved the notice, search and seizure of contravened ganja and no contrary is found to demolish the prosecution case.
The Hon’ble Court has hold that the search and seizure of the cannabis was done properly in presence of the independent seizure witnesses and there was no ambiguity regarding seizure of contravened articles on the spot.
Accordingly, Shri. JimutBahan Biswas, Hon’ble Additional Sessions Judge, North & Middle Andaman District, Mayabunder has convicted the accused namely Shri. Ashok Biswas on 23/09/2022 for the offence committing under section 20 of NDPS Act and sent him to the judicial custody for reflection of mind for hearing of quantum of sentence.
On 26/09/2022 after hearing the convict as well as prosecution and defence side, the Hon’ble Judge has sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and also to pay fine of Rs.50,000/- (rupees fifty thousand), in default of payment which he will have to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months more.
The Hon’ble Judge has praised for painstaking effort conducted by the then SHO- Incharge of PS Mayabunder, SI Somen Kumar Halder being raiding officer and also industrious investigation by the SI Anbeshwaran, the Investigating Officer. The entire prosecution case was conducted by Shri. UttamKirtania, Learned Additional Public Prosecutor.
