Opium dealer gets 10 yrs RI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 04 2022:
Special Judge ND&PS Bishnupur W Tonen sentenced Thangkhanhau Zou to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine Rs 1 lakh on the charge of unauthorized possession of 3 Kg of opium.
Thangkhanhau Zou (62) of P Kamdou Veng, Chura-chandpur who was convicted by the same Court on April 28 under Section 18(b) of the ND & PS Act,1985 was produced before the Court for sentence hearing today from Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa.
The Court heard special PP L Danny Meetei and defense counsel in length during the sentence hearing.
The special PP prayed for maximum punishment and maximum fine 'as the offence is heinous' while the defense counsel prayed for minimum punishment claiming that it was the first offence committed by the convict and now he has deep faith in Christianity.
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The defence counsel further submitted that the convict is also a diabetic patient and prayed for waiving the fine as mentioned in Section 18(b) of the ND&PS Act, 1985 .
After hearing the Special PP and the defence counsel, the Court sentenced the convict to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a minimum 10 years and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh which is to be paid within six months.
In default of payment of the fine amount, the convict has to undergo rigorous imprisonment for another six months, the Court ruled.
The Court also directed that the period of detention undergone by the convict prior to his conviction shall be set off.
Thangkhanhau Zou was arrested along with 3 kg of opium by a team of Narcotic and Affairs of Border, Manipur from Oksongbung Lairenjam Leirak Machin near Citizen Club under Moirang police station on October 31, 2015 at around 3:10 pm .