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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CBCI seeks repeal of ‘forcible conversion’ laws, cites rights violations
Bengaluru (PTI): The CBCI on Tuesday strongly demanded that the Centre repeal legislations it said were "inconsistent with religious freedom and the right to privacy", alleging that many innocent individuals were being incarcerated on "unfounded allegations of forcible conversions".
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India cited Article 25 of the Constitution, stating that it guarantees that "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion."
The CBCI concluded its 37th general body meeting on February 10. During the week-long conclave, which began on February 4, it also elected Cardinal Poola Anthony, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad, as its new president.
"As many innocent individuals are incarcerated on unfounded allegations of forcible religious conversions, we strongly demand the repeal of legislation that is inconsistent with religious freedom and the right to privacy," the CBCI said in a statement.
Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to nation-building, the CBCI said his entire life was devoted to shaping "an India in which the people shall feel that it is their country, in whose making they have an effective voice, an India in which there shall be no high class and low class of people."
The CBCI alleged that the denial of rights to Dalit Christians has continued for decades as an indirect form of discrimination, despite repeated appeals for equality and justice.
"We express our concern over the denial of rights to minorities, as such acts weaken the democratic fabric of our society," it said.
"While maintaining our commitment to eliminate any form of discrimination within ecclesial communities based on caste or language, we urge the government to ensure that no citizen is denied fundamental rights to equality and freedom," it said.
"At a time when freedom and human rights are increasingly disregarded, we reaffirm our faith in the Constitution of India, which envisions the country as a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic, and secures to all its citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity," the statement added.
Pointing out that constitutional rights are often "unjustly restricted, particularly concerning the poor, the marginalised, Dalits and tribal people," the CBCI said it was important to advocate for the protection of fundamental rights for all individuals, regardless of caste, creed or language.
Encouraging youth to participate actively in public life and democratic processes, the CBCI said, "It has become the need of the hour that our youngsters, as exemplary Christians and responsible citizens of India, actively engage in politics as a vocation to service."
"In a context of polarisation and mistrust, we uphold the Church’s calling to foster dialogue, reconciliation and fraternity. The Christian faith has always inspired us to seek the path of forgiveness whenever we have been deprived of human dignity and rights," it added.
