Drug dealer convicted after 19 years
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 08 2023: A drug dealer who was arrested way back in 2004 has been convicted today.

The quantum of punishment would be announced on February 13 .

Special Judge, ND&PS Bishnupur W Tonen today convicted 54 years old drug peddler Khwairakpam Romio s/o late Kh Budhi of Nambol Awang Leikai under ND&PS Act who was arrested along with 1050 grams of heroin (No 4) powder on October 1, 2004 from Lainingthou Khoriphaba Hill inter-village road, Nambol.

The order was passed today after it was kept reserved after hearing the submission of special PP L Danny Meetei, defence counsel of the convict and amicus curiae at the final hearing on January 30 .

After completion of the investigation, the IO submitted a charge sheet against the convict and framed charges for trial on October 3, 2015 .

Six prosecution witnesses were produced before the Court during the trial and the convict, in his defence, produced two defence witnesses.

During the final hearing of the trial case, special PP L Danny Meetei submitted that the oral evidence of the prosecution witnesses, the exhibited documents and articles were able to prove the charges levelled against Khwairakpam Romio, thereby attracting section 21(c) of the ND & PS Act, 1985 .

The amicus curiae and the defence counsel for the convict submitted that the accused was innocent of the charges levelled against him.

It was also submitted that the present case is full of doubts and that the arresting/investigating authorities had failed to carry out certain necessary formalities in the case, the defence counsel said and prayed the Court for acquitting the accused from all liabilities.

The Court, on perusal of the case record and after hearing the oral evidence, documentary evidence and material objects, observed that the prosecution has been able to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt that Khwairakpam Romio had committed the alleged offence punishable u/s 21(c) ND&PS Act and that all the necessary formalities have been duly observed by the arresting/investigating authorities in the present case.

The Court then convicted Khwairakpam Romio for unauthorized possession of 1050 grams of heroin (No 4) and also directed that the seized item be destroyed after the appeal period is over.

The Court also directed police to produce the convict on February 13 for sentence hearing.

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