HC acquits 3 awarded jail term for 10 years

Overturning the verdict of a trial court,which had awarded 10 years imprisonment to three persons for possession of drugs,the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted the accused on Monday.

Overturning the verdict of a trial court,which had awarded 10 years imprisonment to three persons for possession of drugs,the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted the accused on Monday. In December 2003,Ajay Malik,a city-based advocates son,along with two of his alleged accomplices Ling Raj and Davinder Singh,was sentenced under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. At the time,the verdict had created a sensation and was dubbed as the citys biggest drug haul by the police.

On the basis of a tip-off,the police had searched Maliks Lancer car and reportedly discovered contraband drugs worth Rs 50 crore.

Incarcerated since December 14,2003,the trio filed an appeal in the HC against the sentencing,the verdict of which was announced by Justice K Kannan on Monday. The judgment under appeal is set aside and the appellants are set at liberty, said the judge.

In 2003,newspapers had the public riveted to the story of one of the biggest drug hauls in recent police history from two prominent citizens of Chandigarh and a domestic help. But there was no secret informer,and if there was one,in police reckoning,he was not taken seriously,for the information regarding the storing of contraband at the house in Sector 21 was never taken to its logical conclusion by carrying out a search immediately, Justice Kannan observed.

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