PHAGWARA: In a significant judgment under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the SBS Nagar Special Court of Judge Aparajita Joshi convicted and sentenced Surjit Ram alias Tita, a 39-year-old resident of Rahon, to rigorous imprisonment of 15 years along with a substantial fine of Rs 1.5 lakh for possession of commercial quantities of psychotropic substances.
The case had its origins on October 14, 2019, registered at Police Station Rahon under Section 22 of the NDPS Act and Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Acting on the information relayed by ASI Karamjit Singh, the police apprehended the accused while driving a Hyundai EON car (PB-65-V-2825) near the Power House in Rahon. During search of the vehicle, officers recovered a white bag containing 10 boxes of Alprazolam tablets (6, 000 pills in total) and 32 boxes of Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets (16, 000 pills).
Holding the accused guilty under Sections 22, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act, the court sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment and imposed a heavy fine, with a further term of imprisonment in default of payment. The court observed that offences involving commercial quantities of narcotics are grave threats to public health and social order, and therefore call for stringent punishment to deter traffickers.
The judgment is notable for reiterating that procedural safeguards under the NDPS Act—such as sealing, production before Magistrate, and chemical examination—are not empty formalities but essential checks that lend credibility to the prosecution case. Once these are complied with, courts are bound to apply the law strictly.
With this conviction, the Special Court has once again highlighted its uncompromising approach towards narcotics-related crimes, sending a strong message that those engaged in trafficking of intoxicants cannot expect leniency.