11, 16 yrs RI for selling drugs near school
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 05 2019:
Special Judge ND&PS Fast Track Court, Manipur, today, sentenced one Lainpu Simte and Biaklian Paite to 11 years and 16 respectively to rigorous imprisonment for selling drugs near a school campus.
Lainpu Simte (59) s/o Kampu Simte of Tengnuam village, Churachandpur, and Biaklian Paite (47) S/o Jamkhothang Paite of Bungmual village, Churachandpur, were convicted by the same Court on August 28.The convicts were produced before the Court for the sentence hearing from Manipur Central Jail Sajiwa and during the proceedings, the Court heard Special PP M Raichand and defense counsels Advocate Khupchinpao, Advocate P Ibomcha and his associate.
The Special PP prayed for maximum sentence and maximum fine as provided under the ND&PS Act but the defense counsels prayed for the minimum sentence reasoning that this was their (convicts) first offence and they were never involved in any other case.
The defense counsels also submitted that the two convicts are married, have their own family and are also the sole bread earners.
They further submitted that Lianpu Simte is now 59 years old while Baiklian Paite is now 47 and prayed for leniency.
After considering the submission of both sides, the Court sentenced Lianpu Simte to rigorous imprisonment for 11 years and slapped a fine of Rs 1,10,000 on him (to be paid within a year) .
The Court mentioned that if the convict fails to do so, he will undergo another 13 months imprisonment.
On the other hand, the Court sentenced Biaklian Paite to rigorous imprisonment of 16 years with a fine of Rs 1,60,000 adding that if he fails to pay the fine within a year he will undergo another 2 years imprisonment.
It may be mentioned that the trial began against the convicts after they were arrested from inside St Peter School campus, Lamphel Sanakeithel, with 500 grams of heroin on September 8, 2001, at around 10 am while trying to sell the said drugs inside the school.