Delhi court sentences two Afghan nationals to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment in NDPS case
New Delhi (PTI): A Delhi court sentenced two Afghan nationals to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for trafficking a commercial quantity of heroin and also imposed fines totalling Rs 3 lakh on each of them.
Special Judge Manu Goel Kharb was hearing the arguments on sentence against Abdul Khaliq Noorzai and Ghulam Hazrat Mirzale, who were convicted under Sections 21(c) (possession, dealing with manufactured drugs), 23(c) (illegal import or export) and 29 (abetment and criminal conspiracy) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).
In an order dated February 7, the court said, "Considering the above facts coupled with fact that both of them also have their families to maintain, the convicts Abdul Khaliq Noorzai and Ghulam Hazrat Mirzale are sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 years and pay fine of Rs 1 lakh for the commission of offence under Section 21 (c) of the NDPS Act."
The court also awarded identical sentences under Section 23(c) and Section 29 of the NDPS Act, along with three years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh each.
The court directed that all sentences would run concurrently.
According to the prosecution, Noorzai was found in possession of 4.02 kg of heroin, while Mirzale was carrying 3.60 kg of the contraband. A total of 7.62 kg of heroin was recovered, which was concealed in plastic bottles.
The two were arrested after their baggage was screened and checked out of suspicion on their arrival at the Delhi airport from Dubai on August 8, 2021.
A detailed examination of their trolley bags led to the recovery of shampoo and hair colour bottles containing a black-coloured liquid that later tested positive for heroin.
Seeking 20 years of imprisonment for both the accused, the special public prosecutor, who was representing the Customs, argued that both accused were involved in a serious case of drug trafficking and did not deserve any leniency.
The court said that both convicts were first-time offenders and had no previous involvement in any criminal cases.
"Both convicts, Abdul Khaliq and Ghulam Hazrat, are first-time offenders and have not been previously involved in any other case of the NDPS Act or the IPC. Their conduct inside the jail is also found satisfactory," the judge said.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
