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2023 Supreme(P&H) 2591

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
AMAN CHAUDHARY, J.
Angrej Singh @ Geja – Petitioner
Versus
State of Haryana – Respondent
CRA-S-4394-SB of 2014 (O&M)
Decided On : 14-07-2023

Advocates Appeared:
Mr.BS Aulakh, Advocate/ Legal Aid Counsel; For the Appellant
Mr.Dhruv Sihag, AAG, Haryana

Headnote:(A) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 - Section 21 - Conviction for possession of narcotics - The appellant was convicted and sentenced for possession of non-commercial quantity of narcotics, leading to a sentence reduction based on mitigating circumstances. (Paras 1, 10, 12)

(B) Sentencing - Consideration of factors such as being a first-time offender, sole breadwinner, non-commercial contraband, and prolonged trial can lead to sentence reduction. (Paras 9, 12)

Facts of the case:
The appellant was apprehended with narcotics on 20.03.2014 during a patrol, leading to a conviction and sentence of six months. The appellant accepted conviction but sought sentence modification due to personal circumstances.

Findings of Court:
The conviction was affirmed, but the sentence was reduced to the period already undergone, recognizing the appellant's hardships.

Issues: The court evaluated the appropriateness of the sentence given the mitigating circumstances.

Ratio Decidendi: The court noted that reducing a sentence in light of mitigating factors like being a first-time offender and prolonged trial aligns with justice.

Result: Conviction upheld, sentence modified to the time already served.

Table of Content
1. summary of prosecution case and conviction details. (Para 1 , 2 , 3)
2. court's validation of conviction and circumstances for sentence reduction. (Para 4 , 8 , 9 , 12)
3. arguments regarding sentence modification. (Para 6 , 7)
4. precedents on sentence reduction in ndps cases. (Para 10 , 11)
5. final ruling on conviction and sentence modification. (Para 13 , 14)

JUDGMENT

Aman Chaudhary, J.

Challenge in the present appeal is to the judgment and order dated 27.08.2014 passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Kaithal, vide which the appellant was convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months and to pay a fine of Rs.6,000/- for the offence punishable under Section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Substances Act, 1985 (for short 'NDPS Act').

2. Succinctly, the facts of the prosecution case are that on 20.03.2014, when SI Inder Singh alongwith other police officials was present at Bhuna Turning in connection with patroling and detection, a secret information was received regarding carrying of narcotics by Angrej Singh @ Geja. The said information was sent to higher authority. A naka was laid at T-Point Bhuna Road. After some time a bus came, from which a person alighted and started going towards Bhuna side. On suspicion, he was apprehended and on enquiry he disclosed his name as Angrej Singh @ Geja. He was served a notice under Section 50 of NDPS Act, to which he gave the option of the search before a Gazetted Officer. On a call made, DSP Tekan Raj alongwith his staff came at the spot, in whose presence, the search of the accused was conducted. A polythene was recovered from the right side pocket of the lower of the accused, on the opening of which, smack was found. Two samples of one gram each were segregated and remaining came out to be 3.20 grams. The samples alongwith residue were converted into parcels and sealed with seal 'IS'. DSP had also put his seal on them with 'TR'. A ruqa was sent to the police station, on the basis of which, an FIR was registered. On completion of investigation, challan was presented against the accused-petitioner and charges under Section 21 of NDPS Act were framed, to which he pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

3. To prove its case, the prosecution had examined as many as 7 PWs. On closing of the prosecution evidence, statement of the accused was recorded under Section 313 Cr.P.C. All the incriminating material was put to him, which were denied and he alleged false implication by the police and pleaded innocence. In defence, the accused did not lead any evidence.

4. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties and going through the evidence brought on record, the trial Court came to the conclusion that the prosecution had successfully proved its case in bringing home the guilt against the accused and convicted and sentenced him as noticed above in para no.1.

5. Hence, the present appeal.

6. Learned counsel for the appellant, at the very outset, submits that he does not wish to challenge the judgment of conviction and prays for modification of order of sentence awarded to the appellant to the period already undergone on account of the facts, that he is poor person, only bread earner of the family, having wife and children; has undergone 4 month 21 days out of the total sentence of 6 months awarded to him; recovery was of non-commercial contraband; is not involved in any other case and has been facing the agony of protracted trial since 20.03.2014.

7. On the other hand, learned State counsel submits that the trial Court after appreciating the evidence led by the prosecution, has rightly convicted and sentenced the appellant, therefore, prays for the dismissal of the present appeal.

8. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.

9. Though, the appellant has given up his challenge to the conviction and restricted his prayer only with regard to reduction of his sentence as undergone, in view of the mitigating circumstances mentioned above

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