HC: Drug trafficking, consumption rising in Punjab, ruining lives

The bench was hearing the pleas of Bidesh Rai, Ranjeet Rai and Manoj, who had been arrested by the department of Revenue Intelligence at Ludhiana.

As per the case, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence filed a complaint on March 7, 2022, before the special court in Ludhiana stating that they received a specific report that cannabis is stored in a godown situated at village Mangli Nichi, in Sahnewal.

The DRI officials searched the godown and found 52 packets, each containing approximately 8 kg cannabis. Four persons — Shivam Singh, Mintu Singh, Arwinder Singh Sidhu and Manoj — were present in the godown. Shivam Singh further informed the DRI officials that Ranjeet Rai and Bidesh Rai will be taking the delivery of the consignment for selling it in the local market.

The accused were arrested following which Bidesh Rai, Ranjeet Rai and Manoj, moved bail application in the special court of Ludhiana, which was dismissed. The trio filed the bail appeal in the HC.

Counsel for Bidesh and Ranjeet contended before HC that the petitioners are innocent and have falsely been implicated, and they have no relation with any of the other co-accused. The counsel contended that the duo has been nominated as accused only on the basis of disclosure statement of co-accused Shivam Singh, while he was in custody, and thus, is not admissible in evidence.

Counsel for Manoj argued that he has been falsely implicated in the case and the petitioner was not found in conscious possession of any psychotropic substance.

The counsel appearing for DRI contended that huge amount of contraband has been recovered in this case and the accused were arrested as recovered contraband falls under the category of “commercial quantity”. The court after hearing the arguments dismissed the bail plea of the accused.