KULDEEP SINGH @ KEEPA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The instant appeal is directed against the verdict made on 2/3/2022, upon Sessions Case No. NDPS/1112/2014, by the learned Judge, Special Court, Jalandhar, wherethrough he convicted the appellant for a charge drawn qua an offence punishable under Sec. 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"). Through a sentencing order of even date, he proceeded to impose upon the convict sentence of rigorous imprisonment extending upto a period of 12 years, besides imposed sentence of fine of Rs.1,00,000.00, and, in default of payment of fine amount, he sentenced the convict to undergo rigorous imprisonment extending upto a period of three months.

(2.) The accused-appellant became aggrieved from the above drawn verdict of conviction, and, also the consequent therewith sentence(s) (supra), as became upon the appellant. Resultantly, the aggrieved instituted thereagainst instant appeal before this Court.

(3.) The genesis of the prosecution case are that, on 15/5/2014, SI Shiv Kumar along with police officials was present at 'Y' point (located on Dera Bille, River Road) in the area of village Sholey, where a secret information was received to the effect that accused Kuldeep Singh @ Keepa son of Joginder Singh, resident of village Madhepur, P.S. Jagraon is engaged in the business of poppy husk and today, he is coming in a maruti car bearing No.PB03-D-0728 loaded with poppy husk bags in order to sell the same from village Sholey towards river side of village Bille and if he is intercepted, he can be apprehended, red handed. Relying upon the said information, a ruqa was sent to the police station for recording FIR. In the mean time, a maruti car being driven by accused Kuldeep Singh @ Keepa bearing registration No.PB03-D-0728 was intercepted. Accused was enquired about his whereabouts.