Surat Court Sentences Woman To 10 Years In Jail For Carrying 65g MD Drugs, Acquits Co-Accused
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A Special NDPS Court in Surat has sentenced a 31-year-old woman to 10 years in jail for illegal possession and transportation of 65.430 grams of Mephedrone (MD), a commercial quantity of the drug. The court, however, acquitted the co-accused, Mobin Khan, citing lack of independent evidence against him.
The court convicted Ruksar Zakir Jafar Shaikh (31) under Sections 8(c), 22(c) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
65g MD Worth ₹1.96 Lakh Seized
According to the case, police seized 65.430 grams of Mephedrone valued at ₹1,96,290 from Shaikh. Officers also recovered two mobile phones, a shoulder bag and ₹1,040 in cash.
The total value of the seized items was assessed at ₹2,37,330.
Woman Held With MD Near Gandhibag
The Crime Branch acted on a specific tip-off and intercepted Shaikh near Gandhibag in Surat's Chowk Bazar area.
During the investigation, police learnt that the MD had allegedly been brought from Panvel/Mumbai for sale in Surat.
As the interception took place in a crowded public area surrounded by government offices, officers escorted Shaikh to the nearby Parivartan Rehabilitation Center to conduct the search and seizure proceedings. The procedure was carried out under the supervision of a female officer.
Court Rejects Procedural Objections
The prosecution presented the official panchnama, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports and magistrate-certified inventory of the seized substance before the court.
The court found that the statutory requirements under Sections 42 and 43 of the NDPS Act had been complied with and rejected the defence arguments alleging procedural irregularities.
It also held that shifting the search from a busy public road to an indoor location was legally justified in the circumstances.
Co-Accused Acquitted For Lack Of Supporting Evidence
While Shaikh was convicted on the basis of the direct physical recovery from her possession, the court acquitted Mobin Khan.
The court observed that Khan's implication rested primarily on a statement attributed to the co-accused. There was no supporting evidence in the form of call details, bank statements or records of monetary transactions linking him to the offence.
The court therefore acquitted Khan while holding Shaikh guilty of the offences proved against her.
